U.S. patent application number 16/298871 was filed with the patent office on 2019-07-04 for processing of a game-playing transaction based on location.
The applicant listed for this patent is Daniel Cage, John Frederick Houseal, JR., Roy Leach, John Minutaglio, Travis L. Smith, David Tashjian. Invention is credited to Daniel Cage, John Frederick Houseal, JR., Roy Leach, John Minutaglio, Travis L. Smith, David Tashjian.
Application Number | 20190206180 16/298871 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 63711121 |
Filed Date | 2019-07-04 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190206180 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cage; Daniel ; et
al. |
July 4, 2019 |
PROCESSING OF A GAME-PLAYING TRANSACTION BASED ON LOCATION
Abstract
An exemplary method comprises receiving information associated
with a game-playing transaction conducted between a user device and
a game-playing terminal, wherein the game-playing transaction is
associated with a request for playing a game; determining a
location of the user device associated with the game; determining
the user device is located in an approved location associated with
the game; and processing the game-playing transaction based on
determining the user device is located in the approved location
associated with the game. The game-playing transaction is conducted
on a first communication interface, and the information associated
with the game-playing transaction is received on a first or second
communication interface.
Inventors: |
Cage; Daniel; (Atlanta,
GA) ; Minutaglio; John; (Atlanta, GA) ; Leach;
Roy; (Elizabeth, CO) ; Tashjian; David; (Fort
Lauderdale, FL) ; Smith; Travis L.; (Alpharetta,
GA) ; Houseal, JR.; John Frederick; (Atlanta,
GA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Cage; Daniel
Minutaglio; John
Leach; Roy
Tashjian; David
Smith; Travis L.
Houseal, JR.; John Frederick |
Atlanta
Atlanta
Elizabeth
Fort Lauderdale
Alpharetta
Atlanta |
GA
GA
CO
FL
GA
GA |
US
US
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
63711121 |
Appl. No.: |
16/298871 |
Filed: |
March 11, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
16010398 |
Jun 15, 2018 |
10229561 |
|
|
16298871 |
|
|
|
|
15818569 |
Nov 20, 2017 |
10217326 |
|
|
16010398 |
|
|
|
|
15614490 |
Jun 5, 2017 |
9824340 |
|
|
15818569 |
|
|
|
|
14958720 |
Dec 3, 2015 |
9672697 |
|
|
15614490 |
|
|
|
|
14018276 |
Sep 4, 2013 |
9227136 |
|
|
14958720 |
|
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|
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14856421 |
Sep 16, 2015 |
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15614490 |
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61696533 |
Sep 4, 2012 |
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62458457 |
Feb 13, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/0209 20130101;
G07F 17/329 20130101; G07F 17/3255 20130101; G06Q 20/3276 20130101;
G07F 17/3218 20130101; G07F 17/3237 20130101; G07F 17/3223
20130101; A63F 13/216 20140902; A63F 13/73 20140902; G06Q 30/0609
20130101; G07F 17/3239 20130101; G06Q 20/047 20200501; G07F 17/3209
20130101; G06Q 50/01 20130101; G07F 17/3225 20130101; A63F 13/92
20140902; A63F 13/213 20140902; G06Q 20/3224 20130101; H04W 4/02
20130101; G07F 17/3241 20130101; G06Q 30/0212 20130101; G07F
17/3227 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20060101
G07F017/32; A63F 13/216 20060101 A63F013/216; G06Q 30/02 20060101
G06Q030/02; G06Q 30/06 20060101 G06Q030/06; G06Q 50/00 20060101
G06Q050/00; G06Q 20/32 20060101 G06Q020/32; G06Q 20/04 20060101
G06Q020/04; H04W 4/02 20060101 H04W004/02; A63F 13/73 20060101
A63F013/73; A63F 13/92 20060101 A63F013/92; A63F 13/213 20060101
A63F013/213 |
Claims
1-10. (canceled)
11. A method for processing, or enabling initiation or conduction
of, game-playing transactions, the method comprising: receiving or
sending information associated with a game-playing transaction
initiated or executed at a game-playing apparatus, wherein the
game-playing transaction is associated with a game, wherein the
game is associated with or comprises game information; determining,
using one or more computing device processors, location information
or identification information associated with the game-playing
apparatus; determining, using the one or more computing device
processors, the game-playing apparatus comprises or is an approved
game-playing apparatus, wherein the approved game-playing apparatus
is located in an approved location associated with the game;
processing the information or the game-playing transaction, or
enabling initiation or conduction of the game-playing transaction,
based on at least one of: determining, using the one or more
computing device processors, the game-playing apparatus comprises
or is the approved game-playing apparatus based on determining,
using the one or more computing device processors, the location
information or the identification information is at least partially
consistent with or mappable to second information or second
identification information, or determining, using the one or more
computing device processors, a period of validity associated with
the information or the game information has not expired, wherein
the game-playing transaction is conducted or is to be conducted on
a first communication interface, and wherein the information
associated with the game-playing transaction is received or sent on
the first communication interface or a second communication
interface.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the game-playing transaction
comprises, is, or is comprised in at least one of a gaming
transaction, a wagering transaction, a game initiation transaction,
a game completing transaction, a pre-game transaction, a post-game
transaction, an in-game transaction, a game-related transaction, a
card-based transaction, a betting transaction, a location
determining transaction, an identification transaction, an
information processing transaction, a sports betting transaction, a
user identification transaction, a crypto-based transaction, a
blockchain-based transaction, a mobile device identifying
transaction, a game-playing apparatus-related transaction, or a
game-playing apparatus identifying transaction.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one of: determining,
using the one or more computing device processors, the game-playing
apparatus comprises or is the approved game-playing apparatus based
on determining, using the one or more computing device processors,
the location information or the identification information is at
least partially consistent with the second information or the
second identification information, or determining, using the one or
more computing device processors, the period of validity associated
with the information or the game information has not expired,
comprises: determining, using the one or more computing device
processors, the game-playing apparatus comprises or is the approved
game-playing apparatus based on determining, using the one or more
computing device processors, the identification information is at
least partially consistent with the second information or the
second identification information.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one of: determining,
using the one or more computing device processors, the game-playing
apparatus comprises or is the approved game-playing apparatus based
on determining, using the one or more computing device processors,
the location information or the identification information is at
least partially consistent with the second information or the
second identification information, or determining, using the one or
more computing device processors, the period of validity associated
with the information or the game information has not expired,
comprises: determining, using the one or more computing device
processors, the period of validity associated with the information
or the game information has not expired.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more computing
device processors are comprised in at least one of the game-playing
apparatus, or one or more local or remote computing
apparatuses.
16. The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more computing
device processors are software-customized for performing
specialized operations associated with the game-playing
transactions.
17. The method of claim 11, wherein an interaction between a gaming
card and the game-playing apparatus, or a computing device
associated with the game-playing apparatus, causes receiving the
information.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the information is stored on
the gaming card and is transmitted to or accessed by the
game-playing apparatus when the gaming card interacts with the
game-playing apparatus or the computing device associated with the
game-playing apparatus.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein the information is comprised in
a code associated with the gaming card.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein the information is comprised in
a code visible on a face of the gaming card.
21. The method of claim 19, wherein the code is or comprises an
activation code.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein the gaming card further
comprises a second code covered by a removable surface.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein the second code is or comprises
a redemption code.
24. The method of claim 19, wherein the code comprises third
identification information, and wherein the third identification
information is associated with the gaming card.
25. The method of claim 17, wherein the gaming card comprises a
lottery gaming card.
26. The method of claim 17, wherein the gaming card comprises a
non-lottery gaming card.
27. The method of claim 17, wherein the interaction comprises at
least one of a contact interaction, a swiping interaction, or a
contactless interaction.
28. The method of claim 11, wherein the game-playing apparatus
comprises, is, or is associated with, integrated with, or comprised
in at least one of a pump, an ATM, a servicing station, a retail
apparatus, an entity, one or more mobile computing devices, one or
more non-mobile computing devices, one or more local computing
apparatuses, or one or more remote computing apparatuses.
29. The method of claim 11, wherein the game-playing apparatus
comprises a retail apparatus configured for receiving, processing,
or transmitting the information associated with the game-playing
transaction.
30. The method of claim 11, wherein the first communication
interface is located between the game-playing apparatus and a
remote or local server.
31. The method of claim 11, wherein the second communication
interface is located at least one of between the game-playing
apparatus and a remote or local server, or between the game-playing
apparatus and a second game-playing apparatus.
32. The method of claim 11, wherein the first communication
interface and the second communication interface are the same
communication interface.
33. The method of claim 11, wherein the first communication
interface and the second communication interface are different
communication interfaces.
34. The method of claim 11, wherein the first communication
interface or the second communication interface comprises at least
one of a Bluetooth-based interface, a near-field communication
(NFC) interface, a code-based interface, a Wi-Fi interface, a
cellular interface, or a wired interface.
35. The method of claim 11, wherein the information is received
from or sent to a customized gaming facilitator, wherein the
customized gaming facilitator comprises a firewall, logging
security, core logic, and customized transaction logic.
36. The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more computing
device processors are comprised in one or more communication
exchange servers.
37. The method of claim 11, wherein the information comprises the
identification information associated with the game-playing
apparatus.
38. The method of claim 37, wherein the identification information
associated with the game-playing apparatus comprises entity
identification information for an entity associated with the
game-playing apparatus.
39. The method of claim 11, wherein the information or the second
information comprises lottery number information associated with or
loaded onto a gaming card.
40. The method of claim 11, wherein in response to processing the
information or the game-playing transaction, or enabling the
initiation or the conduction of the game-playing transaction,
transmitting third information to a gaming system.
41. The method of claim 40, wherein the third information comprises
a wagering request based on the information.
42. The method of claim 41, wherein the wagering request comprises
at least one of lottery number information associated with a gaming
card interacting with the game-playing apparatus, the information,
or the identification information associated with the game-playing
apparatus.
43. The method of claim 42, further comprising receiving winning
user information or winning gaming card identification information,
the winning user information or the winning gaming card
identification information being associated with the game.
44. The method of claim 43, further comprising sending an update to
a database system, the update being based on the winning user
information or the winning gaming card identification
information.
45. The method of claim 11, wherein the information comprises third
identification information, wherein the third identification
information is associated with a gaming card interacting with the
game-playing apparatus.
46. The method of claim 11, wherein receiving or sending the
information is executed before the game-playing transaction.
47. The method of claim 11, wherein receiving or sending the
information is executed after the game-playing transaction.
48. The method of claim 11, wherein receiving or sending the
information is executed as part of or substantially simultaneously
with the game-playing transaction.
49. The method of claim 11, wherein the information comprises a
request to activate a gaming card or gaming card identification
information associated with the gaming card, wherein the gaming
card interacts with the game-playing apparatus, thereby causing
receiving or sending the information.
50. The method of claim 11, wherein an interaction between a gaming
card and the game-playing apparatus causes receiving the
information, and wherein the gaming card, or a package comprising
the gaming card, comprises a hook slot or hole shaped or configured
for enabling placement of the gaming card, or the package
comprising the gaming card, onto a display hook.
51. The method of claim 11, wherein an interaction between a gaming
card and the game-playing apparatus causes receiving the
information, and wherein the gaming card is associated with or
comprises one or more game plays prior to the interaction between
the gaming card and the game-playing apparatus.
52. The method of claim 51, wherein the one or more game plays
comprises one or more lottery numbers associated with one or more
draw dates.
53. The method of claim 52, wherein the one or more draw dates are
associated with a single lottery gaming provider or at least two
different lottery gaming providers, and wherein the one or more
draw dates comprises at least one of a next draw date associated
with the game or a future draw date associated with the game.
54. The method of claim 52, wherein the one or more game plays are
pre-configured or user-configurable such that the information
comprises game play information associated with the one or more
game plays.
55. The method of claim 11, wherein an interaction between a gaming
card and the game-playing apparatus causes receiving the
information, and wherein the gaming card is comprised in a gaming
card package that comprises a hook hole or slot shaped or
configured for enabling placement of the gaming card package onto a
display hook.
56. The method of claim 11, wherein the game-playing apparatus
comprises one or more game-playing apparatuses, and wherein the one
or more computing device processors are comprised in the one or
more game-playing apparatuses.
57. An apparatus for processing, or enabling initiation or
conduction of, game-playing transactions, the apparatus comprising
one or more computing device processors configured to: receive or
send information, associated with a game-playing transaction
initiated or executed at a game-playing apparatus, wherein the
game-playing transaction is associated with a game, wherein the
game is associated with or comprises game information; determine
location information or identification information associated with
the game-playing apparatus; determine the game-playing apparatus is
associated with approved location information or approved
identification information associated with the game, wherein the
game-playing apparatus is located in an approved location
associated with the game; process the information or the
game-playing transaction, or enable initiation or conduction of the
game-playing transaction, based on at least one of: determining the
game-playing apparatus is associated with the approved location
information or the approved identification information associated
with the game based on determining the location information or the
identification information is at least partially consistent with or
mappable to second information or second identification
information, or determining a period of validity associated with
the information or the game information has not expired, wherein
the game-playing transaction is conducted or is to be conducted on
a first communication interface, and wherein the information
associated with the game-playing transaction is received or sent on
the first communication interface or a second communication
interface.
58. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein the game-playing transaction
comprises, is, or is comprised in at least one of a gaming
transaction, a wagering transaction, a game initiation transaction,
a game completing transaction, a pre-game transaction, a post-game
transaction, an in-game transaction, a game-related transaction, a
betting transaction, a location determining transaction, an
identification transaction, an information processing transaction,
a sports betting transaction, a user identification transaction, a
crypto-based transaction, a blockchain-based transaction, a mobile
device identifying transaction, an apparatus-related transaction, a
game-playing apparatus-related transaction, or a game-playing
apparatus identifying transaction.
59. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein at least one of: determining
the game-playing apparatus is associated with the approved location
information or the approved identification information associated
with the game based on determining the location information or the
identification information is at least partially consistent with or
mappable to the second information or the second identification
information, or determining the period of validity associated with
the information or the game information has not expired, comprises:
determining the game-playing apparatus is associated with the
approved location information or the approved identification
information associated with the game based on determining the
location information or the identification information is at least
partially consistent with or mappable to the second information or
the second identification information.
60. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein at least one of: determining
the game-playing apparatus is associated with the approved location
information or the approved identification information associated
with the game based on determining the location information or the
identification information is at least partially consistent with or
mappable to the second information or the second identification
information, or determining the period of validity associated with
the information or the game information has not expired, comprises:
determining the period of validity associated with the information
or the game information has not expired.
61. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein the apparatus is further
configured to modify or configure the game-playing apparatus based
on the determination that the game-playing apparatus is associated
with the approved location information or the approved
identification information associated with the game.
62. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein the one or more computing
device processors are software-customized for processing the
information, or enabling the initiation or the conduction of, the
game-playing transaction.
63. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein at least one of the
game-playing apparatus comprises, is, or is associated with,
integrated with, or comprised in at least one of a pump, an ATM, a
servicing station, a retail apparatus, an entity, one or more
mobile computing devices, one or more non-mobile computing devices,
one or more local computing apparatuses, one or more remote
computing apparatuses, or the apparatus.
64. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein an interaction between a
gaming card and the game-playing apparatus causes receipt, at the
apparatus, of the information from the game-playing apparatus.
65. The apparatus of claim 64, wherein the gaming card, or a
package comprising the gaming card, comprises a hook hole or slot
shaped or configured for enabling placement of the gaming card, or
the package comprising the gaming card, onto a display hook.
66. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein at least one of the first
communication interface or the second communication interface is
located between the apparatus and the game-playing apparatus, and
wherein the at least one of the first communication interface or
the second communication interface comprises one or more
intermediary computing devices enabling communication between the
apparatus and the game-playing apparatus.
67. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein the gaming card comprises
one or more lottery game play sets associated with one or more
draws.
68. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein the gaming card comprises a
first code for activating the gaming card and a second code for
redeeming an item or a prize associated with a game play associated
with the one or more lottery game play sets.
69. A gaming apparatus configured to: interact with a game-playing
computing apparatus, the interaction causing information comprised
in the gaming apparatus to be received, by at least one remote
server configured for operations associated with game-playing
transactions, or accessed, by the at least one remote server, from
the game-playing computing apparatus or the gaming apparatus,
wherein the game-playing computing apparatus is located in an
approved location associated with a game, wherein the game-playing
computing apparatus is associated with approved identification
information or approved location information, wherein the game is
associated with or comprises game information, wherein the at least
one remote server is further configured to: determine the
information is at least partially consistent with or mappable to
second information or identification information, the second
information or the identification information being received, by
the at least one remote server, or accessed, by the at least one
remote server, from a computing device; process the information, or
enable initiation or conduction of a game-playing transaction based
on or associated with the information, based on at least one of:
determining the information is at least partially consistent with
or mappable to the second information or the identification
information, wherein the information is received or accessed from
the game-playing computing apparatus located in the approved
location associated with the game, wherein the interaction between
the game-playing computing apparatus and the gaming apparatus
occurs in the approved location associated with the game, or
determining a period of validity associated with the information or
the game information has not expired, wherein the information is
received or accessed by the at least one remote server on a first
communication interface between the game-playing computing
apparatus and the at least one remote server, and wherein the
second information is received or accessed by the at least one
remote server on a second communication interface between the
computing device and the at least one remote server.
70. The gaming apparatus of claim 69, wherein the gaming apparatus
is customized for the interaction with the game-playing computing
apparatus.
71. The gaming apparatus of claim 69, wherein the information
comprises location information associated with the game-playing
computing apparatus or second identification information, wherein
the second identification information is associated with the
game-playing computing apparatus.
72. The gaming apparatus of claim 71, wherein the information
further comprises gaming apparatus identification information
associated with the gaming apparatus.
73. The gaming apparatus of claim 69, wherein the information
comprises gaming apparatus identification information associated
with the gaming apparatus.
74. The gaming apparatus of claim 69, wherein the information is
not visible on the gaming apparatus in a first state of the gaming
apparatus.
75. The gaming apparatus of claim 69, wherein the information is
covered by a removable surface in a first state of the gaming
apparatus.
76. The gaming apparatus of claim 69, wherein the information is
comprised in a readable indicia located on a surface of the gaming
apparatus.
77. The gaming apparatus of claim 69, wherein the information is
comprised in a code comprised in or on a surface of the gaming
apparatus.
78. The gaming apparatus of claim 77, wherein the code comprises a
barcode.
79. The gaming apparatus of claim 69, further comprising an
activation code and a redemption code.
80. The gaming apparatus of claim 79, wherein the activation code
is visible on a first surface of the gaming apparatus, and wherein
the redemption code is covered by a removable surface on a second
surface of the gaming apparatus.
81. The gaming apparatus of claim 69, further comprising a game
board, wherein the game board comprises one or more game plays.
82. The gaming apparatus of claim 81, wherein the one or more game
plays are associated with at least two draws.
83. The gaming apparatus of claim 81, wherein the one or more game
plays are associated with a single draw.
84. The gaming apparatus of claim 81, wherein each game play,
comprised in the one or more game plays, comprises a randomly
generated number set associated with the game.
85. The gaming apparatus of claim 81, wherein each game play,
comprised in the one or more game plays, comprises a user-defined
number set associated with the game.
86. The gaming apparatus of claim 69, wherein the game-playing
transaction comprises, is, or is comprised in at least one of a
gaming transaction, a wagering transaction, a game initiation
transaction, a game completing transaction, a pre-game transaction,
a post-game transaction, an in-game transaction, a game-related
transaction, a card-based transaction, a betting transaction, a
location determining transaction, an identification transaction, an
information processing transaction, a sports betting transaction, a
user identification transaction, a crypto-based transaction, a
blockchain-based transaction, a mobile device identifying
transaction, a game-facilitating apparatus-related transaction, a
game-playing computing apparatus-related transaction, or a
game-playing computing apparatus identifying transaction.
87. The gaming apparatus of claim 69, wherein the information is
comprised in a chip or a magnetic stripe comprised in or on the
gaming apparatus.
88. The gaming apparatus of claim 69, wherein the interaction
comprises a contact-based interaction.
89. The gaming apparatus of claim 69, wherein the interaction
comprises a contactless interaction.
90. The gaming apparatus of claim 69, wherein the gaming apparatus
is or comprises a physical gaming instrument.
91. The gaming apparatus of claim 69, wherein the gaming apparatus,
or a package comprising the gaming apparatus, comprises a hook hole
or slot, and wherein the hook hole or slot is configured or shaped
for enabling placement of the gaming apparatus, or the package
comprising the gaming apparatus, onto a display hook.
92. The gaming apparatus of claim 69, wherein the gaming apparatus
is or comprises a physical gaming card.
93. The gaming apparatus of claim 69, wherein the gaming apparatus
is or comprises an electronic gaming card displayable on a mobile
device.
94. The gaming apparatus of claim 69, wherein at least one of:
determining the information is at least partially consistent with
or mappable to the second information or the identification
information, wherein the information is received or accessed from
the game-playing computing apparatus located in the approved
location associated with the game, wherein the interaction between
the game-playing computing apparatus and the gaming apparatus
occurs in the approved location associated with the game, or
determining the period of validity associated with the information
or the game information has not expired, comprises: determining the
information is at least partially consistent with or mappable to
the second information or the identification information, wherein
the information is received or accessed from the game-playing
computing apparatus located in the approved location associated
with the game, wherein the interaction between the game-playing
computing apparatus and the gaming apparatus occurs in the approved
location associated with the game.
95. The gaming apparatus of claim 69, wherein at least one of:
determining the information is at least partially consistent with
or mappable to the second information or the identification
information, wherein the information is received or accessed from
the game-playing computing apparatus located in the approved
location associated with the game, wherein the interaction between
the game-playing computing apparatus and the gaming apparatus
occurs in the approved location associated with the game, or
determining the period of validity associated with the information
or the game information has not expired, comprises: determining the
period of validity associated with the information or the game
information has not expired.
96. The gaming apparatus of claim 69, wherein the game comprises a
lottery game.
97. The gaming apparatus of claim 69, wherein the game-playing
computing apparatus comprises a point-of-sale (POS) terminal.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of, and claims priority
to U.S. application Ser. No. 16/010,398, filed Jun. 15, 2018, which
is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority to U.S.
application Ser. No. 15/818,569, filed Nov. 20, 2017, issued as
U.S. Pat. No. 10,217,326 on Feb. 26, 2019, which is a
continuation-in-part of, and claims priority to U.S. application
Ser. No. 15/614,490, filed Jun. 5, 2017, issued as U.S. Pat. No.
9,824,340 on Nov. 21, 2017, which is a continuation-in-part of, and
claims priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/958,720
filed on Dec. 3, 2015, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,672,697 on Jun. 6,
2017, which is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority to,
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/018,276 filed on Sep. 4, 2013,
issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,227,136 on Jan. 5, 2016, which claims
priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/696,533
filed on Sep. 4, 2012, all the disclosures of which are hereby
incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes. U.S.
application Ser. No. 15/614,490, filed Jun. 5, 2017, issued as U.S.
Pat. No. 9,824,340 on Nov. 21, 2017, which is incorporated by
reference herein in its entirety, is a continuation-in-part of, and
claims priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/856,421,
filed Sep. 16, 2015, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated
by reference in its entirety for all purposes. U.S. application
Ser. No. 15/818,569, filed Nov. 20, 2017, is a non-provisional of
and claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/458,457,
filed on Feb. 13, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated by
reference in its entirety for all purposes.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This disclosure generally relates to game play systems.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Many governments have passed laws permitting lottery games
to be legalized within their borders. These laws are due to the
public support for this style of entertainment. Currently, these
games are presented through specific manned terminals that connect
to lottery operators--corporations responsible for running the
lottery games. While these games have proven to be popular, a large
segment of the population does not participate. This is due to many
factors including a lack of desire to interact with personnel
running the game kiosks, the inconvenience of the manned terminals,
the concern over losing a ticket, and, more recently, the lack of
cash to play the games as many people are only using payment cards
for purchases.
[0004] In addition, due to regulatory restrictions, the sale of
lottery products is restricted to be within the borders of the
government regulating the lottery games. Therefore, existing sales
solutions used on mobile devices such as handheld devices and smart
phones are not appropriate for the sale of the lottery games
because they lack assurances that the mobile device is located
within the borders of the government regulating the lottery
game.
SUMMARY
[0005] In some embodiments, a device is provided for approving
game-playing transactions. The device comprises a first
communication interface, the first communication interface
comprising a Bluetooth interface such as a Bluetooth Low Energy
(BLE) interface; a second communication interface; and a processor
configured to: receive a first request from a user of the device,
the first request being associated with a game; conduct, over the
first communication interface, a first transaction, the first
transaction comprising reception of first information over the
first communication interface, and send, over the second
communication interface, a second request associated with the game.
The first request or the second request is approved based on:
determining a location associated with conducting the first
transaction or sending the second request, and determining the
location is an approved location associated with the game.
[0006] In some embodiments, the device is further configured to
prompt a user of the device to play the game in response to
determining the device is with a threshold distance of a beacon
with which the first transaction is conducted. In some embodiments,
the beacon may be a Bluetooth interface such as BLE terminal.
[0007] In some embodiments, the second communication interface
comprises a Wi-Fi or cellular interface.
[0008] In some embodiments, the device is comprised in or part of a
motor vehicle.
[0009] In some embodiments, the second request comprises at least
one of a purchase request, the first request, or the first
information.
[0010] In some embodiments, the location is determined based on
global positioning system (GPS) coordinates of the device.
[0011] In some embodiments, the device comprises a mobile device or
a non-mobile device.
[0012] In some embodiments, the second request is approved further
based on determining a period of validity associated with the first
information has not expired.
[0013] In some embodiments, the second request is approved further
based on: determining a gaming authority associated with the game;
and determining the user is located in an approved jurisdiction
associated with the gaming authority for the game.
[0014] In some embodiments, the location is determined based on
input received at the device.
[0015] In some embodiments, the second communication interface is
associated with longer range communication compared to the first
communication interface.
[0016] In some embodiments, the location is determined by at least
one of the device or by a second device that receives the second
request from the device.
[0017] In some embodiments, a method is provided for processing
game-playing transactions. The method comprises receiving
information associated with a game-playing transaction conducted,
via a Bluetooth interface such as a BLE interface, between a user
device and a game-playing terminal, wherein the game-playing
transaction is associated with a request for playing a game;
determining a location of the user device associated with the game;
determining the user device is located in an approved location
associated with the game; and processing the game-playing
transaction based on determining the user device is located in the
approved location associated with the game. The game-playing
transaction is conducted on a first communication interface, and
the information associated with the game-playing transaction is
received on a second communication interface.
[0018] In some embodiments, the user device comprises a
game-playing application.
[0019] In some embodiments, the game comprises a lottery game.
[0020] In some embodiments, the method further comprises
determining a period of validity associated with the information
has not expired, and processing the game-playing request based on
determining the period of validity associated with the information
has not expired.
[0021] In some embodiments, the method further comprises processing
the game-playing transaction based on: determining a merchant
associated with the location of the user device or the game-playing
terminal; cross-referencing a list of approved merchants associated
with the location of the user device or the game-playing terminal;
and determining the merchant is present on the list of approved
merchants.
[0022] In some embodiments, the game-playing terminal comprises
either an electronic game-playing terminal or a non-electronic game
playing terminal.
[0023] In some embodiments, another device is provided for
processing game-playing transactions. The device is configured to
receive information associated with a game-playing transaction
conducted, via a Bluetooth interface such as a BLE interface,
between a user device and a game-playing terminal, wherein the
game-playing transaction is associated with a request for playing a
game using the user device; and process the game-playing
transaction based on determining the user device is located in an
approved location associated with the game, wherein the location of
the user device is determined either by the device or the user
device. The game-playing transaction is conducted on a first
communication interface, and the information is received on a
second communication interface.
[0024] In some embodiments, the second communication interface is
associated with longer-range communication compared to the first
communication interface.
[0025] In some embodiments, the game-playing transaction comprises
a game-requesting transaction or a game-purchasing transaction.
[0026] In some embodiments, a non-transitory computer readable
medium may be encoded thereon with a program or code that when
executed by a processor (e.g., a general or special purpose
processor) of a user device (or any other device described herein),
causes the processor to perform the various methods described
herein.
[0027] In some embodiments, a device is provided for processing
game-playing transactions. The device comprises a first
communication interface; a second communication interface; and a
processor configured to: receive a first request from a user of the
device, the first request being associated with a game; conduct,
over the first communication interface, a first transaction, the
first transaction comprising transmission or reception of first
information over the first communication interface, and send, over
the second communication interface, a second request associated
with the game. The first request or the second request is processed
based on: determining a location associated with conducting the
first transaction or sending the second request, and determining
the location is an approved location associated with the game.
[0028] In some embodiments, the first communication interface
comprises at least one of a Bluetooth interface, a near-field
communication (NFC) interface, or a code-based interface.
[0029] In some embodiments, the second communication interface
comprises a Wi-Fi or cellular interface.
[0030] In some embodiments, the first communication interface and
the second communication interface are the same communication
interface.
[0031] In some embodiments, the second request comprises at least
one of a purchase request, the first request, or the first
information.
[0032] In some embodiments, the location is determined based on
global positioning system (GPS) coordinates of the device.
[0033] In some embodiments, the device comprises a mobile device or
a non-mobile device.
[0034] In some embodiments, the second request is approved further
based on determining a period of validity associated with the first
information has not expired.
[0035] In some embodiments, the second request is approved further
based on: determining a gaming authority associated with the game;
and determining the user is located in an approved jurisdiction
associated with the gaming authority for the game.
[0036] In some embodiments, the second communication interface is
associated with longer range communication compared to the first
communication interface.
[0037] In some embodiments, the location is determined by at least
one of the device or by a second device that receives the second
request from the device.
[0038] In some embodiments, a method is provided for processing
game-playing transactions. The method comprises receiving
information associated with a game-playing transaction conducted
between a user device and a game-playing terminal, wherein the
game-playing transaction is associated with a request for playing a
game; determining a location of the user device associated with the
game; determining the user device is located in an approved
location associated with the game; and processing the game-playing
transaction based on determining the user device is located in the
approved location associated with the game. The game-playing
transaction is conducted on a first communication interface, and
the information associated with the game-playing transaction is
received on a second communication interface.
[0039] In some embodiments, the first communication interface
comprises at least one of a Bluetooth interface, a near-field
communication (NFC) interface, or a code-based interface.
[0040] In some embodiments, the game comprises a lottery game.
[0041] In some embodiments, the method further comprises
determining a period of validity associated with the information
has not expired, and processing the game-playing request based on
determining the period of validity associated with the information
has not expired.
[0042] In some embodiments, the method further comprises processing
the game-playing transaction based on: determining a merchant
associated with the location of the user device or the game-playing
terminal; cross-referencing a list of approved merchants associated
with the location of the user device or the game-playing terminal;
and determining the merchant is present on the list of approved
merchants.
[0043] In some embodiments, the game-playing terminal comprises
either an electronic game-playing terminal or a non-electronic game
playing terminal.
[0044] In some embodiments, a device is provided for processing
game-playing transactions. The device is configured to: receive
information associated with a game-playing transaction conducted
between a user device and a game-playing terminal, wherein the
game-playing transaction is associated with a request for playing a
game using the user device; and process the game-playing
transaction based on determining the user device is located in an
approved location associated with the game, wherein the location of
the user device is determined either by the device or the user
device. The game-playing transaction is conducted on a first
communication interface, and the information is received on a
second communication interface.
[0045] In some embodiments, the first communication interface
comprises at least one of a Bluetooth interface, a near-field
communication (NFC) interface, or a code-based interface.
[0046] In some embodiments, the game-playing transaction comprises
a game-requesting transaction or a game-purchasing transaction.
[0047] According to another embodiment, a non-transitory computer
readable medium may be encoded thereon with a program that when
executed by a processor of a user device, causes the processor to
perform a method that may comprise receiving a game play request
from a user, obtaining barcode information associated with a
barcode at a location, and sending a gaming request including the
barcode information and associated with the game play request over
a wireless network to a gaming facilitator.
[0048] These and other advantages of the present disclosure will
become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following
detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0049] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a game play
system, in accordance with some embodiments.
[0050] FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram illustrating a communications
exchange server, in accordance with some embodiments.
[0051] FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram illustrating a communications
exchange server, in accordance with some embodiments.
[0052] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for a game
play, in accordance with some embodiments.
[0053] FIGS. 4A and 4B are flow diagrams illustrating methods for
verifying the location of a mobile device, in accordance with some
embodiments.
[0054] FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams illustrating
processes for game play, in accordance with some embodiments.
[0055] FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C are schematic diagrams illustrating
input systems, in accordance with some embodiments.
[0056] FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C are flow diagrams illustrating
processes for a mobile application-based play of a lottery system
presented game, in accordance with some embodiments.
[0057] FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C are flow diagrams illustrating
processes for a host-based play and mobile application-based play
where the mobile application has a substantially constant
connection of an automated lottery system presented game, in
accordance with some embodiments.
[0058] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a gaming
facilitator system, in accordance with some embodiments.
[0059] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating another game
play system, in accordance with some embodiments.
[0060] FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for
processing game-playing transactions, in accordance with some
embodiments.
[0061] FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a gaming provider system, in
accordance with some embodiments.
[0062] FIG. 13 illustrates the back of a lottery gift card and a
screen shot of a mobile device texting a short code to initiate a
text messaging session with a gaming facilitator, in accordance
with some embodiments.
[0063] FIG. 14 illustrates a screen shot of the mobile device text
messaging session with the gaming facilitator sending a lottery
number set generated by a gaming system, in accordance with some
embodiments.
[0064] FIG. 15 illustrates a screen shot of the mobile device
notifying the user of winning and confirming the identity of the
user, in accordance with some embodiments.
[0065] FIG. 16 illustrates screen shots of the mobile device during
payment by a third party payment provider for a low tier win, in
accordance with some embodiments.
[0066] FIG. 17 illustrates screen shots of the mobile device during
payment by a third party payment provider for a low tier win, in
accordance with some embodiments.
[0067] FIG. 18 illustrates a screen shot of the mobile device
providing instructions for payment for a high tier win, in
accordance with some embodiments;
[0068] FIG. 19 illustrates a method for providing a gaming
transaction using the gaming provider system of FIG. 12 or using
any other system described herein, in accordance with some
embodiments.
[0069] FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a gaming provider system and
process, in accordance with some embodiments.
[0070] FIG. 21 is a block diagram of a winner verification system
and process, in accordance with some embodiments.
[0071] FIG. 22 is a block diagram of an event-driven lottery player
marketing system and process, in accordance with some
embodiments.
[0072] FIG. 23 is a block diagram of a lottery prize exchange
system and process, in accordance with some embodiments.
[0073] FIG. 24 is a block diagram of an event-driven lottery
messaging system and process, in accordance with some
embodiments.
[0074] FIG. 25 is a block diagram of a multi-jurisdictional gaming
provider system and process, in accordance with some
embodiments.
[0075] FIG. 26 is a block diagram of a multi-game entry gaming
provider system and process, in accordance with some
embodiments.
[0076] FIG. 27 is a block diagram of a location-aware gaming
provider system and process, in accordance with some
embodiments.
[0077] FIG. 28 is a block diagram of another gaming provider
system, in accordance with some embodiments.
[0078] FIG. 29 is a block diagram of another gaming provider
system, in accordance with some embodiments.
[0079] FIG. 30 shows an unscratched gaming card, according to some
embodiments.
[0080] FIG. 31 shows a front side of a scratched gaming card,
according to some embodiments.
[0081] FIG. 32 shows a back side of a gaming card, according to
some embodiments.
[0082] FIG. 33 shows a gaming network environment, according to
some embodiments.
[0083] FIG. 34 is a perspective view of a lottery card (or gaming
card), in accordance with some embodiments.
[0084] FIG. 35 is a front view of a lottery card, in accordance
with some embodiments.
[0085] FIG. 36 is a back view of a lottery card, in accordance with
some embodiments.
[0086] FIG. 37 is a side view (e.g., right side view) of a lottery
card, in accordance with some embodiments.
[0087] FIG. 38 is another side view (e.g., left side view) of a
lottery card, in accordance with some embodiments.
[0088] FIG. 39 is a top view of a lottery card, in accordance with
some embodiments.
[0089] FIG. 40 is a bottom view of a lottery card, in accordance
with some embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0090] The disclosed systems and methods make lottery games
accessible to a larger segment of the population by providing an
end-to-end lottery solution for integrated game play and sale of
lottery products on, for example, hand held devices and smart
phones using barcode technology. A player operates an application
on a mobile device, which may be provided for download or supplied
with the device, that allows them to select lottery games and
ticketing options. In some embodiments, the selection can be made
at any time and location. The selections are recorded, for example
in a virtual shopping cart, by the lottery application on the
mobile device. The player purchases these recorded items at
locations that are, for example, pre-approved by a gaming
facilitator and/or a gaming authority. The locations are equipped
to verify the presence of the mobile device at the location using a
barcode technology. Redemption of winning plays can be
automatically deposited into an account associated with the player
or at a retail location by use of, for example, a barcode sent to
the mobile device.
[0091] The use of barcode technology with an application
distributed to mobile devices allows for the following exemplary
advantages: [0092] Issuing and managing a trusted execution
environment. [0093] Assigning trusted area within a trusted
execution environment to a specific service. [0094] Managing keys
for a trusted execution environment. [0095] Securely downloading
lottery applications to enabled mobile phones, for example by
scanning a barcode and directing the user to a secure website to
download the application. [0096] Personalizing applications. [0097]
Locking, unlocking and deleting the lottery application according
to requests from a user or service provider. [0098] Providing
secure logging and accounting settlement of all lottery
transactions.
[0099] The gaming facilitator enables secure data storage of
lottery transactions at the device level using, for example, a
Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) through processing and
transaction confirmation.
[0100] The UICC is a physically secure device, an integrated
circuit (IC) card, or smart card, that can be inserted and removed
from terminal equipment or a mobile device. The UICC may contain
one or more applications and may be referred to using different
terminology in different territories. A Subscriber Identity Module
(SIM) is an application on the UICC containing a mobile
subscriber's unique identity.
[0101] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a representative
embodiment of a game play system 100. A user 101 may interact with
a mobile device 121. The mobile device 121 may be, for example, a
handheld device or smart phone that is already familiar to the user
101 and presents a familiar interface to lottery games. The mobile
device 121 may include a processor 122 that is configured to
execute programming that may be stored on and/or provided to the
mobile device 121. The mobile device 121 is equipped to use barcode
technology thereby being able to read a barcode 123 using, for
example, a camera 130 of the mobile device 121. Alternatively, or
in addition, the mobile device 121 may be configured to display a
barcode 132 on a display 133 of the mobile device 121 to be read by
barcode reader 134.
[0102] By way of example, the barcode 123 or barcode reader 134 may
be located at an ATM, a gas pump, or any other retail location. The
mobile device 121 may be in communication with the gaming
facilitator 125, which may be in communication with the gaming
system 127. The mobile device 121 may also be in communication
system with the financial system 129 directly and/or through the
gaming facilitator 125. The financial system 129 may include, but
is not limited to, payment processors, issuer banks, acquirer
banks, payment rails, credit networks, etc. The gaming system 127
may include, but is not limited to, a gaming authority, a gaming
operator (for example, state lottery operators), a gaming
commission (for example, a state lottery commission), etc.
[0103] According to another embodiment, the game could be a
location-specific game such as Keno or Bingo. In this embodiment,
the gaming system 127 would be the computer or system that draws
the number for game play. The gaming facilitator 125 would allow
the user 101 to interact with the gaming system 127 at the
facility. Thus, a user 101 could select a series of numbers on the
mobile device 121 and store those numbers for the next gaming play.
At the appropriate time, the user 101 would take the mobile device
121 to the barcode reader 134 to communicate the numbers to the
gaming system 127 for play. For example, the user 101 may select a
button displayed on the display 133 that causes the mobile device
121 to generate a barcode that encodes the numbers and display the
barcode on the screen. The barcode reader 134 can then obtain the
numbers by reading the barcode. Alternatively, the mobile device
121 may communicate the numbers to the gaming facilitator 125 in
association with a reference identification assigned by the mobile
device 121 or the gaming facilitator 125 for the game play. The
barcode displayed by the mobile device 121 encodes this reference
identification thereby enabling the retrieval and identification of
the numbers when the barcode reader 134 reads the barcode, which
includes the encoded reference identification.
Communications Exchange Server
[0104] To sell gaming (or more particularly lottery) tickets
through point of sale devices, a communication network is used for
communications between a gaming facilitator and gaming partners.
Gaming partners are partners that the gaming facilitator interacts
with to complete a gaming transaction, such as the gaming system or
the financial system. This communication network may have desirable
characteristics such as being designed to be secure, reliable, and
fast. In an embodiment, each gaming partner may have their own
protocol for communicating with and between their systems, servers,
and remote devices. Some gaming partners utilize public protocols
(e.g., ISO8583) while other gaming partners have generated their
own proprietary protocols. To ensure the security of each partner's
data and protocols, a server for exchanging communications between
a gaming facilitator and a gaming partner may be used.
[0105] FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of a communications exchange
server 200 that exchanges communications between a gaming
facilitator 217 and a gaming partner 201. The communications 203,
215 may include transaction-specific gaming information. In some
embodiments, the communications exchange server 200 is an inbound
communications server (as shown) for receiving and sending
communications at a gaming facilitator 217 to and from a gaming
partner 201. The communications 215 between the gaming facilitator
217 and the communications exchange server 200 are multiple
connections which represents a series of parallel requests. The
communications 203 between the communications exchange server 200
and the gaming partner 201 are a single connection which represents
a series of serialized requests. In those embodiments, the
communications exchange server may be located at the gaming
facilitator.
[0106] In some embodiments, the communications exchange server 200
is an outbound communications server (not shown) for receiving and
sending communications at a gaming facilitator 217 to and from a
gaming partner 201. The communications between the gaming
facilitator 217 and the communications exchange server 200 are a
single connection which represents a series of serial requests. The
communications between the communications exchange server 200 and
the gaming partner 201 are multiple connections which represent a
series of parallel requests. In those embodiments, the
communications exchange server may be located at a gaming partner's
site, for example, at a Lottery Operator. A gaming facilitator may
send a single request to a communications exchange server that a
Lottery Operator send a number of tickets (e.g., "give me 20
tickets"). The communications exchange server may turn that request
into a number of requests for one ticket (e.g., 20 requests of,
"give me one ticket"), resulting in a number of tickets (e.g., 20
tickets) being generated.
[0107] FIG. 2B is a more detailed schematic diagram of a
communications exchange server 200 that exchanges communications
between a gaming facilitator 217 and a gaming partner 201. The
device 200 may include a translation module 205, encryption and
decryption module 209, memory module 211, processing (CPU) module
207, multiplexer 212, and demultiplexer 213. The translation module
205 may translate communications between a gaming facilitator 217
and a gaming partner 201 by translating between a communication
protocol used by the gaming partner 201 (e.g., a proprietary format
of the gaming partner 201) and a communication protocol used by the
gaming facilitator 217 (e.g., a proprietary format of the gaming
facilitator 217). The encryption and decryption module 209 may
encrypt and/or decrypt communications 215 between the gaming
facilitator 217 and gaming partner 201. For example, data arriving
at connection 215 from the gaming facilitator 217 may be encrypted.
The encryption and decryption module 209 may decrypt the data such
that it can be processed by the communications exchange server at
the processor 207. Encryption keys may be used and may be updated
at arbitrary times. Further, it may be desired that outgoing data
at connection 215 to the gaming facilitator 217 or at connection
203 to the gaming partner 201 be encrypted before it is sent.
Accordingly, the encryption and decryption module 209 may encrypt
the data according to encryption protocols used by the gaming
partner 201 and/or gaming facilitator 217. The memory module 211
may store information from the communications 203, 215 between the
gaming facilitator 217 and gaming partner 201. The memory module
211 may also store gaming information. In an embodiment, the memory
module 211 is a cache for storing gaming information and Bank
Information. The cache 211 may store non-transaction specific
gaming information. The cache 211 may also store game-related logic
or a portion of game-related logic. The memory module 211 may also
be program memory including logic or instructions accessible by the
processor module 207. The processing module 207 may process the
communications 203, 215 between the gaming partner 201 and the
gaming facilitator 217. The translation module 205, encryption and
decryption module 209, memory module 211, and processing module 207
are communicatively connected.
[0108] As discussed above, the communications exchange server 200
may be considered as an inbound or an outbound communications
server. Inbound communications at connection 215, from one or more
gaming partners 201 to gaming facilitator 217 may be multiplexed by
the multiplexer 212. Outbound communications at connection 203 from
the gaming facilitator 217 to the one or more gaming partners 201
may be demultiplexed by the demultiplexer 213.
[0109] FIG. 2B depicts a single translation module 205, memory
module 211, CPU module 207, encryption and decryption module 209,
and communications exchange server 200 for simplicity purposes
only. At any point of connection between a gaming facilitator 217
and a gaming partner 201, multiple communications exchange servers
200 may be used for a variety of reasons including, but not limited
to, redundancy, speed or efficiency of the system, failure
diagnostics, ease of system upgradeability, system back-ups,
network monitoring, etc. Further, each communications exchange
server 200 may include multiple of any modules in the server 200.
For example, in some embodiments, the communications exchange
server 200 includes multiple memory modules 211 and multiple CPU
modules 207. The communications exchange server 200 may be made of
one or more machines, one or more motherboards, one or more memory
modules, etc.
[0110] In an embodiment, the communications exchange server 200 is
a computer that translates the gaming partner's communication
protocol into a gaming facilitator specific protocol, thereby
substantially eliminating the exposure of the partner's protocol to
an outside entity. A communications exchange server 200 may be
placed at a gaming partner's data center, either inside or outside
of the gaming partner's firewall depending upon a gaming partner's
preference. The communications exchange server 200 connects to
gaming facilitator data centers over a gaming facilitator provided
connection. In an embodiment, the gaming facilitator provided
connection is a high speed, private connection (e.g., an MPLS
connection). While this type of connection provides some inherent
security, communications to and from the gaming facilitator may be
encrypted to provide an additional layer of protection.
[0111] Non-transaction specific information (images, game rules,
game information, etc.) may be cached on the device 200 in memory
module 211, which allows for rapid access to cached data. For
transaction specific information, data may be passed from the
gaming partner 201 to the communications exchange server 200 which
then encrypts the data and passes the request to a gaming
facilitator 217 via a gaming facilitator provided connection.
[0112] The communications exchange server 200 may be used with a
variety of gaming partners 201 including, but not limited to,
lottery authorities, banking systems, and other payment systems.
Further, the communications exchange server 200 may be located at a
gaming partner location or at a gaming facilitator location.
User Registration
[0113] In an embodiment, a gaming facilitator system may include a
user registration server. The user registration server allows users
to register with the gaming facilitator system. Registering may
allow users to check to see their play history, set spending
limits, to select favorite numbers to be played, and to configure
how they wish to be notified of their play status. In an
embodiment, users may have an online account with the gaming
facilitator system in which they may register, configure and make
selections for their account with the gaming facilitator
system.
[0114] Information identifying the registration of the associated
information (the play history, spending limits, favorite numbers,
notification configuration, etc) may be stored on the gaming
facilitator system or on the mobile device 121 as a part of or in
association with a gaming application stored on the mobile device
121.
Play Overview
[0115] FIG. 3 is a high-level flow diagram illustrating a process
for a gaming system transaction such as a lottery transaction. At
action 301, the mobile device 121 obtains the gaming application.
The application may be obtained directly or indirectly from the
gaming facilitator 125. The gaming application can be obtained at
anytime prior to gaming purchase.
[0116] The action 301 may be omitted if the mobile device already
has the gaming application. For example, the gaming application may
be preloaded on the mobile device 121 at the time of purchase of
the mobile device 121.
[0117] At action 303, the user 101 selects a game type and
ticketing option for gaming play. Game types include but are not
limited to lottery play including draw, instant, and any other
games offered by the jurisdiction's gaming authority. Other games
may include location-specific games, such as Keno or Bingo. The
jurisdiction's gaming authority may limit the available game types
to approved game types. The selecting of ticketing options may
include a number of tickets, numbers played, etc.
[0118] In some embodiments, the user 101 can select the game type
and ticketing options at any time and in any location even prior to
entering an approved retail location. In these embodiments, the
gaming application may store the selected game type and ticketing
options in, for example, a virtual shopping cart to be recalled at
a later time to complete the transaction. The gaming application
may also record previous selections and favorite selections such as
favorite numbers to allow easier selection by the user 101.
[0119] At action 305, the end user presses a "ready to play" or
checkout button in the mobile application. The game play system 100
verifies the location of the mobile device 121 and facilitates the
user 101's gaming purchase using a method such as those described
in FIGS. 4A and 4B.
[0120] FIG. 4A is a flow diagram illustrating a first exemplary
method for verifying the location of the mobile device 121 and
facilitating the user 101's gaming purchase.
[0121] At action 401, the gaming application prompts the user to
scan a barcode at the location. The barcode may be scanned by a
peripheral device attached to the mobile device 121 or by the
camera 130 of the mobile device 121. The barcode may be a static
barcode displayed at the location, for example on a poster or on a
gas pump, or a dynamic barcode generated by a device, such as an
ATM or a display incorporated in a gas pump, at the location. The
barcode may be valid only for a period of time preventing the reuse
of an old barcode at another location.
[0122] At action 403, the gaming application sends a gaming request
including the selected game type and ticketing option along with
the scanned barcode information to the gaming facilitator 125 using
a mobile network such as Wi-Fi or CDMA/GSM. The scanned barcode
information may include the barcode itself as an image file or as
information encoded within the barcode that is decoded by the
gaming application prior to sending the request.
[0123] At action 405, the gaming facilitator 125 processes a
location verification of the mobile device 121, checks game
availability, play limits and other lottery game play parameters.
Location verification can be performed by a variety of means.
According to one embodiment, the merchant may be required to be
included on a list of pre-approved merchants to vend gaming tickets
at the location. This list can be maintained by an appropriate
authority, such as a facilitator or gaming authority. The gaming
facilitator 125 cross-references the scanned barcode information to
determine if the scanned barcode information corresponds with the
location. The gaming facilitator 125 may also cross-reference a
period of validity associated with the scanned barcode information
to confirm that the scanned barcode is a recent and valid
barcode.
[0124] According to another embodiment, location verification can
be performed by other technology within the mobile device, such as
GPS or radio tower triangulation. Ultimately, most gaming
facilitators will need to take sufficient steps to confirm that the
purchaser of the tickets is physically located within the
jurisdiction of the gaming authority to avoid any legal
complications associated with selling gaming tickets outside of the
jurisdiction of the gaming authority.
[0125] At action 407, the gaming facilitator 125 processes
transaction payment through, for example, an integrated
standardized ticketing system with eWallet platforms or a direct
gateway to payment processing partners. The mobile application may
also process payment using other methods at a retail location, such
as through the use of a Near Field Communications (NFC) Transaction
Anchor Point (TAP). In some embodiments, the gaming facilitator 125
communicates with the payment processing partners to obtain
payment.
[0126] FIG. 4B is a flow diagram illustrating a second exemplary
method for verifying the location of the mobile device 121 and
facilitating the user 101's gaming purchase.
[0127] At action 451, the gaming application sends a gaming request
including the selected game type and ticketing option to the gaming
facilitator 125 using a mobile network such as Wi-Fi or CDMA/GSM.
The gaming request is identifiable based on content or a reference
identifier assigned by the gaming application or the gaming
facilitator 125. Thus, communication between the mobile device 121
and the gaming facilitator 125 may be one or two way. Note that as
explained below, this step is optional in some embodiments.
[0128] At action 453, the gaming application generates a barcode
encoding the reference identifier and displays the barcode on the
display 133.
[0129] At action 455, the user presents the displayed barcode to a
terminal at the location. The terminal may be, for example, an ATM
machine, a gas pump, or a stand alone device. The terminal reads
the barcode displayed on the mobile device 121 and sends a
notification to the gaming facilitator 125 that the barcode was
read at the location. The terminal may send an image of the barcode
or information encoded by the barcode that is decoded by the
terminal.
[0130] In another embodiment, the barcode generated by the mobile
application includes some or all of the information included in the
gaming request, which may reduce the amount of information that is
sent from the mobile device 121 to the gaming facilitator 125 with
a larger portion of the information in the gaming request then
being sent by the terminal that reads and decodes the barcode to
the gaming facilitator. In the case where all of the information in
the gaming request is encoded in the barcode, it is not necessary
for the mobile device 121 to itself send any information to the
gaming facilitator 125 (the information being sent by the terminal
reading the barcode) nor is the reference identifier needed. The
mobile device 121 may also transmit information to the terminal
over a short range wireless connection such as WiFi or Bluetooth to
reduce the amount of information encoded in the barcode.
[0131] At action 457, the gaming facilitator 125 processes a
location verification of the terminal if needed or required by the
gaming system to verify eligibility of play at the location of the
terminal, checks game availability, play limits and other lottery
game play parameters.
[0132] At action 459, the gaming facilitator 125 processes
transaction payment through, for example, an integrated
standardized ticketing system with eWallet platforms or a direct
gateway to payment processing partners. The mobile application may
also process payment using other methods at a retail location, such
as through the use of a Near Field Communications (NFC) transaction
anchor point (TAP). In some embodiments, the gaming facilitator 125
communicates with the payment processing partners to obtain
payment.
[0133] Returning now to FIG. 3, at action 307, upon payment
authorization, the gaming facilitator 125 sends the ticket request
to a computerized gaming system (CGS), such as gaming system 127.
The gaming system may use a Random Number Generator (RNG) to
produce the gaming play. In an embodiment using a "Virtual Instant
Ticket," the RNG may not be used but the purchase will be sent to
the CGS for processing and balancing. The gaming system 127, in
communication with the gaming facilitator 125, verifies and
completes the gaming transaction. According to another embodiment,
pre-existing or favorite numbers can be entered or stored in the
mobile device 121 or at the gaming facilitator 125. These numbers
are sent to the gaming system 127 at step 307.
[0134] At action 309, the gaming facilitator 125 sends the gaming
transaction information to the Internal Control System (ICS) of the
gaming system 127 for independent logging. This action is not
always requested and may not be present in some embodiments.
[0135] At action 311, the gaming facilitator 125 sends a
notification of the purchase status to the gaming application. This
notification may include, for example, numbers played, ticket
serial number, date of draw, and payment authorization code along
with other transaction specific information. In some embodiments
the notification includes a numeric redemption code, a scannable
barcode such as a QR code, or any other type of redeemable code
that can be securely sent to the mobile application along with the
notification. The barcode or redemption code can be used after a
draw to check and claim winning numbers at an existing
gaming/lottery terminal or retail location.
[0136] In the case where the transaction was not able to be
completed, information notifying of the failure to complete may be
sent to the mobile device 121. The notification may include other
information associated with the failure, for example, what
exception caused the failure.
[0137] In some embodiments, automated paperless receipts are
provided to indicate numbers and games played. This notification
may be sent via multiple methodologies including email, wireless
delivery to mobile devices utilizing SMS text or device specific
applications, RSS feed, or feeds into Twitter, Facebook or other
social media accounts.
[0138] The notification may also include an automated remote
notification that may be sent to the user 101 indicating play
status (winner, winner of a certain amount of money, winner with
manual redemption, non-winner, winning numbers, what the winning
numbers were if the game was lost, game jackpots, game statistics,
and other statistics). Notifications may be sent directly to the
user 101 through the gaming application as well as via wireless
delivery to a mobile device or email address using, for example,
SMS text, email, RSS feed to Twitter, Facebook or other social
media account, through device specific apps (i.e. iPhone,
BlackBerry, or PDA apps) and, through automated lottery system web
sites.
Redemption
[0139] When the user 101 wins a game, the user 101 will want to
redeem his or her winnings. At action 313, a winner identification
interface of the mobile application utilizes transaction data to
query data from the gaming facilitator 125 to find winning ticket
numbers. The data may be separated into three categories:
non-winning tickets, winning tickets available for auto-redemption,
and winning tickets available for manual claims. An additional
winner verification system that a lottery facilitator may provide
may be used by a game administrator to verify the integrity of
tickets and to validate that a presented ticket is a winner for
items that are manually claimed. The gaming facilitator 125 obtains
the queried data from the gaming system 127 and provides it to the
mobile application.
[0140] At action 315, the mobile application facilitates the
redemption of winnings. Redemption may be completed using a variety
of methods selected based on, for example, a selection of a
preferred method by the user 101 or the amount of the winnings.
[0141] As a first example, the mobile application may provide for
the display of the barcode received in the notification in
connection with action 311. A retail location can then read the
barcode to verify the win and provide the winnings.
[0142] As a second example, the winnings are automatically
deposited to an account associated with the user 101. In some
embodiments, the user 101 may tap the mobile device 121 to a NFC
TAP to initiate a transfer of funds through financial system 129.
An eWallet system may also be accessed for an auto-deposit of
winning tickets through a point of sale terminal, debit, and/or
credit network to allow for the redemption of winning tickets under
a taxable or manually verifiable limit via a pin-less debit card or
credit card transaction. A unique terminal number may be used for
this transaction, and a pin or card may or may not be used for
completion of the transaction.
[0143] FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram illustrating a process for a
game play. At action 501, the mobile device 121 downloads the
mobile application from the gaming facilitator 125. At action 503,
the user 101 uses the mobile application running on the mobile
device 121 to select game play and ticketing options. The user 101
may make the game play and ticketing option selections at anytime
prior to entering an approved retail location. At action 505, the
user 101 presses a checkout or ready to play button displayed on
the mobile device 121. At action 507, the user scans the barcode
123 displayed at the retail location. At action 509, the mobile
device 121 sends a request associated with the game play request
including the barcode information to the gaming facilitator 125.
The request may include an image of the barcode, a value
representing information encoded by the barcode, or other
information to verify that the user was in a location at which the
barcode was displayed.
[0144] At action 511, the gaming facilitator 125 verifies the
location of the mobile device 121 based on the barcode information
provided in the game play request. As mentioned previously, the
physical location of the user and the mobile device at the time of
the payment transaction can have implications for the legality of
the transaction, depending upon the laws of the jurisdiction in
which the gaming authority is operating.
[0145] At action 513A, the gaming facilitator 125 processes payment
authorization through a direct gateway with financial system 129.
In other embodiments, payment may be processed directly between the
mobile device 121 and the financial system 129 as shown in action
513B. In still other embodiments, payment may be processed by
tapping the mobile device 121 to a Near Field Communications (NFC)
Transaction Anchor Point (TAP) 520 as shown in action 513C. In this
embodiment, the NFC TAP 520 initiates the payment instruction to
the financial system 129, as shown in action 513D.
[0146] At action 515, the gaming facilitator 125 sends a ticketing
request to the gaming system 127, for example the lottery authority
in the jurisdiction, which verifies and completes the gaming
transaction.
[0147] At action 517, the gaming facilitator 125 sends ticket
information and confirmation to the mobile device 121.
[0148] At action 519, the gaming facilitator 125 sends gaming
processing and balancing information including transaction logs to
the gaming system 127.
[0149] FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram illustrating a process for a
game play. At action 551, the mobile device 121 downloads the
mobile application from the gaming facilitator 125. At action 553,
the user 101 uses the mobile application running on the mobile
device 121 to select game play and ticketing options. The user 101
may make the game play and ticketing option selections at anytime
prior to entering an approved retail location. At action 555, the
user 101 presses a checkout or ready to play button displayed on
the mobile device 121. The mobile application generates a barcode
that is displayed on the screen of the mobile device 121. At action
557, the user scans the barcode displayed on the screen of the
mobile device 121 at a terminal 570 installed at the retail
location. The barcode may encode some or all of the information
associated with the game play request. The terminal 570 may be an
ATM machine, a gas pump, a stand alone device, etc. At action 559A,
the mobile device 121 sends a request associated with the game play
request to the gaming facilitator 125. The request may include some
or all of the information encoded in the barcode. At action 559B,
the terminal 570 sends transaction information to the gaming
facilitator 125 informing the gaming facilitator 125 of the
transaction with the mobile device 121. The transaction information
may include some or all of the information encoded by the barcode.
The request may include an image of the barcode, a value
representing information encoded by the barcode, or other
information to verify that the user was in the location at which
the barcode was read.
[0150] For example, the barcode may include an identifier number
that is preassigned to the mobile device 121 or randomly generated.
The mobile device 121 may send the gaming request including all the
game play parameters and the identifier number to the gaming
facilitator 125. In such an embodiment, the terminal 570 may only
send the identifier decoded from the barcode to the gaming
facilitator 125. In receipt of this information, the gaming
facilitator 125 obtains the game play request information and the
information needed to verify that the mobile device 121 was in the
same location as the terminal 570. In other embodiments, the mobile
application may encode all of the game play request information in
the barcode read by the terminal 570. In such an embodiment, it is
not necessary that the mobile device 121 sends any information to
the gaming facilitator 125 and all of the information needed to
obtain the game play request and verify that the mobile device 121
is in the same location as the terminal 570 can be provided to the
gaming facilitator 125 by the terminal 570. It will be appreciated
that the information transmitted to the gaming facilitator 125 by
the mobile device 121 and the terminal 570 may be apportioned
between these devices in any of a number of ways and the above
discussion is exemplary in nature.
[0151] At action 561, the gaming facilitator 125 verifies the
location of the mobile device 121 based on the barcode information
provided by the terminal 570. As mentioned previously, the physical
location of the user and the mobile device at the time of the
payment transaction can have implications for the legality of the
transaction, depending upon the laws of the jurisdiction in which
the gaming authority is operating.
[0152] At action 563A, the gaming facilitator 125 processes payment
authorization through a direct gateway with financial system 129.
In other embodiments, payment may be processed directly between the
mobile device 121 and the financial system 129 as shown in action
563B. In still other embodiments, payment may be processed by
tapping the mobile device 121 to a Near Field Communications (NFC)
Transaction Anchor Point (TAP) 572 as shown in action 563C. In this
embodiment, the NFC TAP 572 initiates the payment instruction to
the financial system 129, as shown in action 563D. In embodiments
where the terminal 570 is capable of performing financial
transactions, such as an ATM or a device equipped with a bill
reader, the terminal 570 may register the transaction with the
financial system 129 at action 563E and accept the payment from the
user.
[0153] At action 565, the gaming facilitator 125 sends a ticketing
request to the gaming system 127, for example the lottery authority
in the jurisdiction, which verifies and completes the gaming
transaction.
[0154] At action 567, the gaming facilitator 125 sends ticket
information and confirmation to the mobile device 121.
[0155] At action 569, the gaming facilitator 125 sends gaming
processing and balancing information including transaction logs to
the gaming system 127.
[0156] The above-described playing processes allow for gaming
purchases such as lottery games on mobile devices while providing
the assurances and verification that the sale of the gamine
products occurred within the borders of the government regulating
the games.
[0157] In some embodiments, the gaming facilitator 125 provides a
retailer signup program as part of the mobile application. Prior to
the sale of gaming (e.g., lottery) tickets a retail location or
merchant may be required to be included on a list of pre-approved
locations or merchants. This list can be maintained by an authority
appropriate to ensure that the geographic location of the retail
location or merchant has been confirmed. This could be the gaming
facilitator or the gaming authority.
[0158] Embodiments of the terminal 570 may include an existing ATM
or NFC device at a retailer, a dedicated gaming/lottery device at
the retailer, or a device placed in conjunction with a new or
existing lottery terminal.
Application Logic
[0159] Lottery system logic may reside at a device associated with
the lottery system, such as the terminal or the gaming facilitator,
within the gaming application on the mobile device, or both at the
device and the host.
[0160] FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram illustrating a host-based
input system 610. With the host-based terminal 610, the mobile
device 611 is a user input/display device. The application logic
614 that determines what happens with each input and provides
decision-making for what to display to the user occurs on a remote
host 612. The host 612 contains automated lottery system logic and
may gather the user input by providing the appropriate screens to
the mobile device 611 (for example, to a gaming application running
on the mobile device 611) and forwarding the user input to the
gaming facilitator 613 either through an intermediary
communications exchange server (not shown) or to the gaming
facilitator 613 directly.
[0161] FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram illustrating a terminal-based
input system 620. Terminal-based input systems have automated
lottery system application logic 624 on the mobile device 621, for
example as part of the mobile application stored on the mobile
device 621. Accordingly, the mobile device 621 has the ability to
walk a user through the game process and may then send the
information that the user has selected to a gaming facilitator 623
either through an intermediary communications exchange server (not
shown) or to the gaming facilitator directly.
[0162] FIG. 6C is a schematic diagram illustrating a hybrid-based
input system 630. Hybrid-based input systems have some application
logic 634A stored at the mobile device 631, for example as part of
the mobile application stored on the mobile device 631, to gather
user input and display the game specific parameters, but also rely
on some application logic 634B stored at a remote host 632 to
control the automated lottery system flow. An example of this is a
cell phone with an automated lottery system application where the
application on the phone controls the layout of the screen,
receives user input, and performs basic validation (e.g., prevents
the user from inputting text into numeric fields). But the cell
phone may communicate with a host 632 to determine the order of the
screens to display. The remote host 632 may communicate with a
gaming facilitator 633 either through an intermediary
communications exchange server (not shown) or with the gaming
facilitator directly.
[0163] FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C are flow diagrams 700, 720, 740
illustrating a process for a mobile application-based play of an
lottery system presented game. At action 702, a mobile application
announces the ability for a user to play a game. In some
embodiments, the mobile application may present a screen indicating
that the mobile application is capable of providing game plays to
the user. If a user decides to play a game, the mobile application
requests that the user input identification information at action
704. For example, the mobile application may ask the user for their
preferred language at action 704. For example, the mobile
application may request that the user swipe a debit card and enter
their debit card pin or provide information regarding an account
with an eWallet platform at action 704.
[0164] The mobile application may optionally request that the user
verify their age at action 706 if the user's age has not been
verified by previous input at the mobile application. The mobile
application may also optionally present a list of game options
available through the mobile application at action 708. The list
may include games that will become available at a future time and
an indication that those games will be available in the future.
[0165] At action 710, the mobile application may present options
for the selected game. For example, the mobile application may
present the number of tickets available for purchase, game play
times available, etc. at action 710. The terminal may also ask the
user whether they would like to have their numbers sent to them or
a link to their numbers sent to them. The mobile application
presents the cost associated with the user's selections as well as
any necessary legal disclosures at action 712. At any point in the
process, the user may cancel the transaction at action 701.
[0166] The user scans a barcode at the retail location, and at
action 713, the mobile application sends gaming information
collected from the user to a gaming facilitator at action C. The
barcode may be static displayed at the retail location on a sign or
display or it may be dynamic generated by a terminal device such as
an ATM or gas pump. The user may be required to make a selection
following a prompt displayed on the terminal to request that the
terminal display the barcode. In embodiments where the terminal
generates a dynamic (for example random) barcode, the terminal may
inform the gaming facilitator and/or gaming authority that the
barcode has been generated along with an identifier to identify the
barcode. The generated barcode may be valid only for a limited
time. Static barcodes may also be valid only for a limited
time.
[0167] As discussed above, in some embodiments, the mobile
application displays the barcode, which is read by a terminal at
the retail location at action 713. The terminal then informs the
gaming facilitator of the read barcode.
[0168] The gaming facilitator may verify information format of the
information sent by the terminal at action 722. For example, at
action 722, the gaming facilitator may determine whether the
information is sufficient and complete for a certain game play. The
gaming facilitator may also ensure that the information is not
corrupt. The gaming facilitator may also verify a user's age if
their driver's license was presented at the terminal. If a driver's
license is required by the game, but was not presented at the
terminal, the gaming facilitator may cancel the transaction. If the
transaction is canceled, the terminal may display a cancel message
indicating the reason for the cancellation.
[0169] At action 723, the gaming facilitator verifies the location
of the user. For example, the gaming facilitator may verify the
location of the terminal that generated the barcode by referring to
a pre-approval of the terminal with the gaming facilitator and/or
the lottery authority. The gaming facilitator may also refer to a
list of barcodes that are currently valid.
[0170] The gaming facilitator may also confirm the location of the
retail location at which the barcode was read in embodiments where
the mobile application generates the barcode.
[0171] At optional action 724, the gaming facilitator may look up
the user to determine preferences for that user. These preferences
can include a list of pre-stored or favorite numbers to be used in
the game play. Other preferences can include whether the user
desires automatic redemption of winning plays, or manual redemption
through the delivery of a redemption code to the mobile device
121.
[0172] At optional action 726, the gaming facilitator may determine
whether the user has opted out of the gaming system, whether the
user has already hit their spending limit for a certain time
period, etc. If either determination is affirmatively made at
optional action 726, then the gaming facilitator sends a message
back to the mobile application to display to the user at action 738
and the process may begin again with the same or a new user at
action B. If the determination is not affirmatively made at
optional action 726, then the process continues.
[0173] At action 727, the gaming facilitator may request a transfer
of funds for the transaction. For example, the gaming facilitator
may request that a payment processor verify the user PIN number,
whether enough funds are available in the user account for the
transaction, and to transfer the funds. The payment processor
determines whether the pin is correct and whether funds are
available and sends a response to the gaming facilitator. The
gaming facilitator receives the response from the payment processor
at action 728. The response may include, for example, verification
from the payment processor whether the PIN is correct, whether
funds are available, and/or whether the funds were transferred. If
the gaming facilitator receives verification that the PIN is
correct, that sufficient funds are available, and that the funds
have been transferred at action 730, the gaming facilitator
generates random numbers or uses user-specified numbers for the
game play at action 732. If the gaming facilitator receives
notification that the PIN is incorrect, that sufficient funds are
not available, or that the funds were not transferred at action
730, the gaming facilitator sends a message back to the terminal to
display to the user at action 738 and the process may begin again
with the same or a new user at action A. A request for the desired
number of tickets and games along with game information is sent by
the gaming facilitator to the lottery operator at action D.
[0174] The lottery operator validates information received from the
gaming facilitator and generates tickets if the information is
validated at action 742. The gaming facilitator determines whether
the tickets were generated correctly at action 744. If the tickets
were not generated correctly, the gaming facilitator requests a
funds reversal to the payment processor, and the payment processor
may reverse the funds back to the user account at action 756. The
gaming facilitator sends a message back to the mobile application
to display to the user at action 738 and the process may begin
again with the same or a new user at action B. If the tickets were
generated correctly, the gaming facilitator will store game play
information at action 746. The gaming facilitator sends to the
terminal game play numbers, transaction numbers, and a confirmation
of the transaction. The mobile application may prompt the user to
indicate whether to receive a receipt electronically or obtain a
barcode for use in redeeming winnings at action 748. If the mobile
device is equipped with a printer or configured to access a
printer, the mobile application may prompt the user to indicate
whether to receive a printed receipt. If the user selects to print
the receipt, the terminal prints the receipt at action 752 and the
process may begin again with the same or a new user at action B. If
the user selects to receive the receipt electronically, the
terminal gathers user information and sends the electronic receipt
at action 750. The process may begin again with the same or a new
user at action B.
[0175] Host-based mobile applications are mobile applications that
receive instructions from a host instead of having internal local
logic. Accordingly, a process for a host-based play of a lottery
system presented game is slightly different than the mobile
application-based play. A host-based terminal is connected to a
host from the beginning of a transaction or at each step requiring
new information between user actions, whereas a mobile
application-based terminal might connect to the host or to a gaming
facilitator after certain decisions and actions are taken by a user
during a transaction. Being connected earlier allows the host-based
mobile application to query a gaming facilitator database for
information about the user at an earlier time in the transaction.
This is also the case for mobile application-based play flow where
the mobile application has a substantially constant connection such
as with a network connection like Wi-Fi or CDMA/GSM.
[0176] FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C are flow diagrams 800, 820, 840
illustrating a process for a host-based play (and mobile
application-based play where the mobile application has a
substantially constant connection) of an automated lottery system
presented game. At action 802, a mobile application announces the
ability for a user to play a game. For example, the mobile
application may present a screen indicating that the mobile
application is capable of providing game plays to the user. If a
user decides to play a game, the mobile application requests that
the user input identification information at action 804. In some
embodiments, the mobile application may ask the user for their
preferred language at action 804. In some embodiments, the mobile
application may request that the user swipe a debit card and enter
their debit card pin or provide information regarding an account
with an eWallet platform at action 804.
[0177] In an embodiment, at optional action 805, the gaming
facilitator may determine whether the user has opted out of the
automated gaming system, whether the user has already hit their
spending limit for a certain time period, etc. If either
determination is affirmatively made at optional action 805, then
the gaming facilitator system cancels the transaction at action
801. The system may send a message back to the mobile application
to display to the user and the process may begin again with the
same or a new user at action E. If the determination is not
affirmatively made at optional action 805, then the process
continues at action 806.
[0178] The mobile application also requests that the user verify
their age at action 806 if the user's age has not been verified by
previous input at the terminal. The mobile application sends card
information to a gaming facilitator (via a mobile device) at action
808 to determine whether the user is a registered user. The mobile
application may present a list of game options available at the
user's location at action 810. The list may include games that will
become available at a future time and an indication that those
games will be available in the future. At action 812, the mobile
application may present options for the selected game. For example,
the mobile application may present the number of tickets available
for purchase, game play times available, etc. at action 812. The
mobile application may also ask the user whether they would like to
have their numbers sent to them or a link to their numbers sent to
them. The mobile application presents the cost associated with the
user's selections as well as any necessary legal disclosures at
action 814. At any point in the process, the user may cancel the
transaction at action 801.
[0179] The user scans a barcode at the retail location, and at
action 815, the mobile application sends gaming information
collected from the user to a terminal host at action F. The barcode
may be static displayed at the retail location on a sign or display
or it may be dynamic generated by a terminal device such as an ATM
or gas pump. The user may be required to make a selection following
a prompt displayed on the terminal to request that the terminal
display the barcode. In embodiments where the terminal generates a
dynamic (for example random) barcode, the terminal may inform the
gaming facilitator and/or gaming authority that the barcode has
been generated along with an identifier to identify the barcode.
The generated barcode may be valid only for a limited time. Static
barcodes may also be valid only for a limited time.
[0180] As discussed above, in some embodiments, the mobile
application displays the barcode, which is read by a terminal at
the retail location at action 815. The terminal then informs the
gaming facilitator of the read barcode.
[0181] At action 822, a terminal host determines based on the
information sent from the mobile application that the transaction
is a gaming facilitator transaction. The host may forward the
information to the gaming facilitator. The gaming facilitator may
verify information format of the information sent by the mobile
application at action 824. For example, at action 824, the gaming
facilitator may determine whether the information is sufficient and
complete for a certain game play. The gaming facilitator may also
ensure that the information is not corrupt. The gaming facilitator
may also verify a user's age if their driver's license was
presented at the terminal. If a driver's license is required by the
game, but was not presented at the terminal, the gaming facilitator
may cancel the transaction. If the transaction is canceled, the
terminal may display a cancel message indicating the reason for the
cancellation.
[0182] At action 825, the gaming facilitator verifies the location
of the user. For example, the gaming facilitator may verify the
location of the terminal that generated the barcode by referring to
a pre-approval of the terminal with the gaming facilitator and/or
the lottery authority. The gaming facilitator may also refer to a
list of barcodes that are currently valid.
[0183] The gaming facilitator may also confirm the location of the
retail location at which the barcode was read in embodiments where
the mobile application generates the barcode.
[0184] In an embodiment, at optional action 826, the gaming
facilitator may look up the user to determine preferences for that
user. At action 826, the gaming facilitator may determine whether
the user has opted out of the gaming system, whether the user has
already hit their spending limit for a certain time period, etc. If
either determination is affirmatively made at action 826, then the
gaming facilitator sends a message back to the mobile application
(e.g., via the mobile device) host to display to the user at action
838 and the process may begin again with the same or a new user at
action E. If the determination is not affirmatively made at action
826, then the process continues.
[0185] At action 827, the gaming facilitator may request a transfer
of funds for the transaction. For example, the gaming facilitator
may request that a payment processor verify the user PIN number,
whether enough funds are available in the user account for the
transaction, and to transfer the funds. The payment processor
determines whether the pin is correct and whether funds are
available and sends a response to the gaming facilitator. The
gaming facilitator receives the response from the payment processor
act action 828. The response may include, for example, verification
from the payment processor whether the PIN is correct, whether
funds are available, and/or whether the funds were transferred.
[0186] The gaming facilitator receives verification from the
payment processor whether the PIN is correct, whether funds are
available, and/or whether the funds were transferred at action 828.
If the gaming facilitator receives verification that the PIN is
correct, that sufficient funds are available, and that the funds
have been transferred at action 830, the gaming facilitator
generates random numbers or uses user-specified numbers for the
game play at action 832. If the gaming facilitator receives
notification that the PIN is incorrect, that sufficient funds are
not available, or that the funds were not transferred at action
830, the gaming facilitator sends a message back to the terminal
(e.g., via the terminal host) to display to the user at action 838
and the process may begin again with the same or a new user at
action E. A request for the desired number of tickets and games
along with game information is sent by the gaming facilitator to
the lottery operator at action G.
[0187] The lottery operator validates information received from the
gaming facilitator and generates tickets if the information is
validated at action 842. The gaming facilitator determines whether
the tickets were generated correctly at action 844. If the tickets
were not generated correctly, the gaming facilitator requests a
funds reversal to the payment processor, and the payment processor
may reverse the funds back to the user account at action 856. The
gaming facilitator sends a message back to the terminal to display
to the user at action 838 and the process may begin again with the
same or a new user at action E. If the tickets were generated
correctly, the gaming facilitator will store game play information
at action 846. The gaming facilitator sends to the terminal (e.g.,
via the terminal host) game play numbers, transaction numbers, and
a confirmation of the transaction. The terminal may prompt the user
to indicate whether to print a receipt at the terminal or receive a
receipt electronically at action 848. If the user selects to print
the receipt, the terminal prints the receipt at action 852 and the
process may begin again with the same or a new user at action E. If
the user selects to receive the receipt electronically, the
terminal gathers user information and sends the electronic receipt
at action 850. The process may begin again with the same or a new
user at action E.
[0188] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a gaming
facilitator system 900. System 900 may include a terminal 910, a
payment processor 920, a gaming facilitator reporting data center
930, a gaming authority 940, gaming authority operators 950 and
gaming facilitator transaction data center 960.
[0189] The gaming facilitator transaction data center 960 is in
communication with the terminal 910, the payment processor 920, the
gaming facilitator reporting data center 930 and the gaming
authority 940. Using alternative connectivity, the gaming
facilitator transaction data center 960 may be in communication
with the gaming authority operators 950. In some embodiments, the
communication with the gaming facilitator transaction data center
950 may be made via communications exchange servers 961, 963 and
965. Firewalls 921, 931, 941, 942, 951, 952 and 967-974 provide
isolation between various systems and components in the system
900.
[0190] The payment processor 920 may include payment processor data
center 923. The payment processor 920 connects with the gaming
facilitator transaction data center 960 via a secure connection
(e.g., MPLS or other "private" connection) between the firewall 921
at the payment processor 920 and the firewall 968 at the gaming
facilitator transaction data center 960.
[0191] The gaming facilitator reporting data center 930 may include
reporting system 934 and reporting database 936. The gaming
facilitator reporting data center 930 connects with the gaming
facilitator transaction data center 960 via a secure connection
(e.g., MPLS or other "private" connection) between the firewall 931
at the gaming facilitator reporting data center 930 and the
firewall 969 at the gaming facilitator transaction data center
960.
[0192] The gaming authority 940 may include a reporting interface
944 and a transaction validation database 946. The gaming authority
940 connects with the gaming facilitator transaction data center
960 via a secure connection (e.g., MPLS or other "private"
connection) between the firewall 941 at the gaming authority 940
and the firewall 973 at the gaming facilitator transaction data
center 960. Also, the gaming authority 940 connects with the
firewall 932 of the gaming facilitator reporting data center 930
via a secure connection (e.g., MPLS or other "private"
connection.
[0193] The gaming authority operators 950 may include a lottery ops
(operations) 954, an FEP 956 and lottery terminals 958. The lottery
ops 954 is in communication with the FEP 956, which is in
communication with the lottery terminals 958. The gaming authority
operators 950 connects with the gaming authority 950 via a secure
Ethernet connection (e.g., B to B API) between the firewall 942 at
the gaming authority 940 and the firewall 951 at the gaming
authority operators 950. Alternate connectivity may be provided
between the firewall 974 of the gaming facilitator transaction data
center 960 and the firewall 952 of the gaming authority operators
950.
[0194] The gaming facilitator transaction data center 960 may
include a gaming facilitator FEP 980, core logic 982, transaction
logic 984, lottery logic 986, a gaming facilitator database 988 and
logging security 990. The core logic 982, the transaction logic 984
and the lottery logic 986 are in communication with one another.
The core logic 982 is in communication with the gaming facilitator
FEP 980 through firewall 975. The gaming facilitator database 988
is in communication with the transaction logic 984. The logging
security 990 is in communication with the gaming facilitator 980,
the core logic 982, the transaction logic 984 and the gaming
facilitator database 988.
[0195] It will be appreciated that the above discussion of a
ticket, a gaming ticket, a lottery ticket, etc is not limited to a
particular type of ticket or transaction and the embodiments
described above are applicable to all types of electronically
facilitated transactions including, among other things,
e-ticketing, the sale of e-tickets, etc.
[0196] Referring now to FIG. 10, in some embodiments, the device
121 (either a mobile device or a non-mobile device) comprises a
first communication interface for communicating with a game-playing
terminal 1034. In some embodiments, the game-playing terminal 1034
may be at a gas station. For example, the game-playing terminal
1034 may be integrated into a gas pump or be near a gas pump.
Additionally or alternatively, the game-playing terminal 1034 may
be located in a store in the gas station. Additionally or
alternatively, the game-playing terminal 1034 may be a
point-of-sale device, a kiosk, an ATM machine, a coupon terminal,
an arcade game-playing machine, a vending machine, etc. In some
embodiments, the device 121 may comprise or be comprised in a motor
vehicle. The first communication interface comprises a Bluetooth
Low Energy (BLE) interface. The game-playing terminal 1034 may be
either an electronic or non-electronic terminal and may transmit a
code to the device 121 over the first communication interface.
Codes from the game-playing terminal 1034 may be transmitted
continuously or during certain periods of time (e.g., when
activated). A code transmitted from the game-playing terminal 1034
may be a unique identifier for the game-playing terminal 1034. The
reception of the code by the device 121 and/or the transmission of
the code by the game-playing terminal 1034 may be referred as a
transaction conducted between the device 121 and the game-playing
terminal. Once the code is received by the device 121, the device
121 sends a request to at least one of the gaming facilitator 125
or the financial system 129. The request may be sent via a second
communication interface (e.g., a Wi-Fi or cellular interface). The
second communication interface may be associated with longer range
communication compared to the first communication interface. The
request may be processed based on the location of the device 121
associated with conducting the transaction or sending the request
being an approved location associated with the game. The request
may be processed by at least one of the device 121, the
game-playing terminal 1034, the gaming facilitator 125, or the
financial system 129. The location may be determined by the device
121, by the game-playing terminal 1034, by the gaming facilitator
125, or the financial system 129. In some embodiments, the location
of the device 121 may be determined using GPS coordinates of the
device 121. Multi-factor authentication may be used to determine
the location of the device 121. For example, the location of the
game-playing terminal 1034 (e.g., the identity of the game-playing
terminal 1034) may be used along with the GPS coordinates of the
device 121 to determine the location of the device 121.
[0197] In some embodiments, the device 121 receives a request from
a user of the device. The request may be a game-playing request or
a game-purchasing request. Either request may be associated with a
mobile game-playing application. In some embodiments, the mobile
game-playing application is initiated on the device 121 upon
detecting the presence of the game-playing terminal 1034 within the
proximity of the device 121 (e.g., upon detecting a code received
at the device 121 from the game-playing terminal 1034). In some
embodiments, the device 121 may be configured to prompt a user to
play a game on the mobile device in response to determining the
device 121 is within a threshold distance (e.g., radius) of the
game-playing terminal 1034. In some embodiments, the request
transmitted via the second communication interface may comprise at
least one of the request received from the user of the device or
the code received from the game-playing terminal 1034. In some
embodiments, the request is processed (e.g., approved) based on
determining a period of validity associated with the code received
from the device 121 has not expired. In some embodiments, the
request is further processed (e.g., further approved) based on
determining a gaming authority associated with the game, and
determining the user is located in an approved jurisdiction
associated with the gaming authority for the game.
[0198] Referring now to FIG. 11, FIG. 11 presents a method for
processing game-playing transactions. At block 1110, the method
comprises receiving (e.g., on a second communication interface)
information (e.g., from a user device) associated with a
game-playing transaction conducted (e.g., on a first communication
interface), via a BLE interface, between a user device and a
game-playing terminal. In some embodiments, a BLE interface may
refer to any form or type of Bluetooth technology. A BLE interface
is not limited to any particular minimum or maximum communication
range. A BLE interface is also not limited to any particular
minimum or maximum energy. In some embodiments, both the first
communication interface and the second communication interface may
be the same communication interface such that the information is
received via the same communication interface on which the
game-playing transaction is conducted. The game-playing transaction
is associated with a request for playing a game. At block 1120, the
method comprises determining a location of the user device
associated with the game. In some embodiments, the location of the
user device is determined by at least one of the user device, the
game-playing terminal, or the device that receives (e.g., from the
user device) information associated with the game-playing
transaction. At block 1130, the method comprises determining the
user device is located in an approved location associated with the
game. This determination may be made by the user device or by the
device that receives the information associated with the
game-playing transaction. At block 1140, the method comprises
processing (e.g., approving) the game-playing transaction based on
determining the user device is located in the approved location
associated with the game. In some embodiments, processing the
game-playing transaction is based on determining an identity of the
merchant or game-playing terminal associated with the location of
the user device or the game-playing terminal. Once the identity of
the merchant or game-playing terminal is determined, the
game-playing transaction is approved based on determining the
identified merchant or game-playing terminal is on a list of
approved merchants or game-playing terminals. In some embodiments,
the game-playing terminal (or the merchant) may be identified by
accessing a correlation matrix and looking up a corresponding
merchant (or game-playing terminal).
[0199] In some embodiments, a method is provided for processing
game-playing transactions. The method comprises: receiving or
sending information associated with a game-playing transaction
between a user device and a game-playing apparatus, wherein the
game-playing transaction is associated with a game; determining a
location of the user device or the game-playing apparatus
associated with the game-playing transaction; determining the user
device or the game-playing apparatus is located in an approved
location associated with the game; processing a game-playing
transaction or enabling initiation or conduction of the
game-playing transaction based on at least one of: determining the
user device or the game-playing apparatus is located in the
approved location associated with the game based on
cross-referencing second location information or identification
information, and determining the location matches the second
location information or identification information, or determining
a period of validity associated with the information has not
expired, wherein the game-playing transaction is conducted on a
first communication interface, and wherein the information
associated with the game-playing transaction is received or sent on
the first communication interface or a second communication
interface.
[0200] In some embodiments, the identification information
comprises merchant information.
[0201] In some embodiments, the information associated with the
game-playing transaction comprises at least one of game-playing
request information, pre game-playing transaction information, post
game-playing transaction information, in-game information, game
information, user information, location information, user device
identification information, game-related information, or
game-playing apparatus identification information.
[0202] In some embodiments, the game-playing transaction comprises
at least one of a gaming transaction, a game purchase transaction,
a pre-game transaction, a post-game transaction, an in-game
transaction, a game-related transaction, a location determining
transaction, a user device identifying transaction, or a
game-playing apparatus identifying transaction.
[0203] In some embodiments, the location comprises or is determined
based on global positioning system (GPS) coordinates of the user
device or the game-playing apparatus, or location information or
identification information of the game-playing apparatus or the
user device.
[0204] In some embodiments, the user device comprises a mobile
computing device.
[0205] In some embodiments, the user device comprises a mobile
phone.
[0206] In some embodiments, the user device comprises a mobile
device, and wherein the game-playing apparatus comprises a remote
computing apparatus.
[0207] In some embodiments, the information associated with the
game-playing transaction is received or sent on the first
communication interface.
[0208] In some embodiments, the user device comprises a mobile
device, and wherein the game-playing apparatus comprises a remote
computing apparatus.
[0209] In some embodiments, the user device comprises a fuel pump,
and wherein the game-playing apparatus comprises a remote
server.
[0210] In some embodiments, the user device comprises a mobile
device, and wherein the game-playing apparatus comprises a local
computing apparatus.
[0211] In some embodiments, the information associated with the
game-playing transaction is received or sent on the first
communication interface.
[0212] In some embodiments, the information associated with the
game-playing transaction is received or sent on the second
communication interface.
[0213] In some embodiments, the second communication interface is
located between the user device and game-playing apparatus.
[0214] In some embodiments, the second communication interface is
located between the game-playing apparatus and a remote computing
apparatus.
[0215] In some embodiments, the first communication interface is
located between the user device and the game-playing apparatus.
[0216] In some embodiments, the second communication interface is
located between the user device and the game-playing apparatus.
[0217] In some embodiments, the game-playing apparatus comprises a
gaming facilitator.
[0218] In some embodiments, the game-playing facilitator comprises
a firewall, logging security, core logic, and transaction
logic.
[0219] In some embodiments, the game-playing apparatus comprises a
communications exchange server.
[0220] In some embodiments, the game comprises a lottery game.
[0221] In some embodiments, the game comprises a non-lottery
game.
[0222] In some embodiments, the game-playing transaction was
conducted between the user device and the game-playing
apparatus.
[0223] In some embodiments, the user device is integrated with a
fuel pump.
[0224] In some embodiments, the processing the game-playing
transaction or enabling initiation or conduction of the
game-playing transaction is based on determining the user device or
the game-playing apparatus is located in the approved location
associated with the game based on cross-referencing second location
information or identification information, and determining the
location matches the second location information or identification
information.
[0225] In some embodiments, the processing the game-playing
transaction or enabling initiation or conduction of the
game-playing transaction is based on determining a period of
validity associated with the information has not expired.
[0226] In some embodiments, the location information comprises a
parameter, and the second location information comprises a second
parameter.
[0227] In some embodiments, the receiving or sending information is
executed before the game-playing transaction between the user
device and the game-playing apparatus.
[0228] In some embodiments, the receiving or sending information is
executed after the game-playing transaction between the user device
and the game-playing apparatus.
[0229] In some embodiments, the receiving or sending information is
executed substantially simultaneously with the game-playing
transaction between the user device and the game-playing
apparatus.
[0230] In some embodiments, the determining the user device or the
game-playing apparatus is located in the approved location
associated with the game comprises cross-referencing the second
location information or identification information, and determining
the location matches the second location information or
identification information.
[0231] In some embodiments, the first communication interface
comprises at least one of a Bluetooth interface, a near-field
communication (NFC) interface, a code-based interface, a Wi-Fi
interface, or a cellular interface.
[0232] In some embodiments, the first communication interface and
the second communication interface are the same communication
interface.
[0233] In some embodiments, the location is determined based on
global positioning system (GPS) coordinates of the device.
[0234] In some embodiments, the user device comprises a
non-electronic user device or wherein the game-playing apparatus
comprises a non-electronic game-playing apparatus.
[0235] In some embodiments, the user device or the game-playing
apparatus comprises at least one of a pump, an ATM, a servicing
station, a retail station, a local computing apparatus, or a remote
computing apparatus.
[0236] In some embodiments, the user device or the game-playing
apparatus comprises a local computing apparatus and a remote
computing apparatus.
[0237] In some embodiments, the user device comprises a local
computing apparatus and a remote computing apparatus.
[0238] In some embodiments, the game-playing apparatus comprises a
local computing apparatus and a remote computing apparatus.
[0239] In some embodiments, the receiving or sending information
comprises receiving or sending information between a second user
device and the game-playing apparatus.
[0240] In some embodiments, the local computing apparatus comprises
a retail station.
[0241] In some embodiments, a method is provided for processing
game-playing transactions. The method comprises: receiving or
sending information associated with a game-playing transaction
conducted or to be conducted between a user device and a
game-playing apparatus, wherein the game-playing transaction is
associated with a game, wherein the game is associated with or
comprises second information; determining a location of the user
device or the game-playing apparatus associated with the
game-playing transaction; determining the user device or the
game-playing apparatus is located in an approved location
associated with the game; processing a game-playing transaction or
enabling initiation or conduction of the game-playing transaction
based on at least one of: determining the user device or the
game-playing apparatus is located in the approved location
associated with the game based on cross-referencing second location
information or identification information, and determining the
location is consistent with the second location information or
identification information, or determining a period of validity
associated with the information or the second information has not
expired, wherein the game-playing transaction is conducted or is to
be conducted on a first communication interface, and wherein the
information associated with the game-playing transaction is
received or sent on the first communication interface or a second
communication interface.
[0242] In some embodiments, a method is provided for processing
game-playing transactions. The method comprises: receiving or
sending information associated with a game-playing transaction
conducted or to be conducted between a user device and a
game-playing apparatus, wherein the game-playing transaction is
associated with a game, wherein the game is associated with or
comprises second information; determining a location of the user
device or the game-playing apparatus associated with the
game-playing transaction; processing a game-playing transaction or
enabling initiation or conduction of the game-playing transaction
based on at least one of: determining the user device or the
game-playing apparatus is located in the approved location
associated with the game based on cross-referencing second location
information or identification information, and determining the
location is consistent with the second location information or
identification information, or determining a period of validity
associated with the information or the second information has not
expired, wherein the game-playing transaction is conducted or is to
be conducted on a first communication interface, and wherein the
information associated with the game-playing transaction is
received or sent on the first communication interface or a second
communication interface.
[0243] In some embodiments, the location is consistent with the
second location information or identification information when the
location matches the second location information or identification
information.
[0244] In some embodiments, a method is provided for processing
game-playing transactions. The method comprises: receiving or
sending information associated with a game-playing transaction
between a user device and a game-playing apparatus, wherein the
game-playing transaction is associated with a game, wherein the
game is associated with or comprises second information;
determining a location of the user device or the game-playing
apparatus associated with the game-playing transaction; determining
the user device or the game-playing apparatus is located in an
approved location associated with the game; modifying or
configuring the user device or the game-playing apparatus based on
the user device or the game-playing apparatus being located in the
approved location associated with the game; processing a
game-playing transaction or enabling initiation or conduction of
the game-playing transaction based on at least one of: determining
the user device or the game-playing apparatus is located in the
approved location associated with the game based on
cross-referencing second location information or identification
information, and determining the location is consistent with the
second location information or identification information, or
determining information associated with the location meets third
information (e.g., parameter information), or determining a period
of validity associated with the information or the second
information has not expired, wherein the game-playing transaction
is conducted or is to be conducted on a first communication
interface, and wherein the information associated with the
game-playing transaction is received or sent on the first
communication interface or a second communication interface.
[0245] In some embodiments, modifying or configuring the user
device or the game-playing apparatus comprises modifying or
configuring a user interface of the user device or the game-playing
apparatus.
[0246] In some embodiments, modifying or configuring the user
device or the game-playing apparatus comprises modifying or
configuring a hardware element of the user device or the
game-playing apparatus.
[0247] In some embodiments, modifying or configuring the user
device or the game-playing apparatus comprises modifying or
configuring a software element of the user device or the
game-playing apparatus.
[0248] In some embodiments, a method for processing game-playing
transactions is provided. The method comprises: receiving or
sending information associated with a game-playing transaction
between a user device and a game-playing apparatus, wherein the
game-playing transaction is associated with a game, wherein the
game is associated with or comprises second information;
determining a location of the user device or the game-playing
apparatus associated with the game-playing transaction; determining
the user device or the game-playing apparatus is located in an
approved location associated with the game; modifying or
configuring the user device or the game-playing apparatus based on
the user device or the game-playing apparatus being located in the
approved location associated with the game, and based on at least
one of: determining the user device or the game-playing apparatus
is located in the approved location associated with the game based
on cross-referencing second location information or identification
information, and determining the location is consistent with the
second location information or identification information, or
determining a period of validity associated with the information or
the second information has not expired, wherein the game-playing
transaction is conducted or is to be conducted on a first
communication interface, and wherein the information associated
with the game-playing transaction is received or sent on the first
communication interface or a second communication interface.
[0249] In some embodiments, an apparatus is provided for processing
game-playing transactions. The apparatus comprises a computing
device processor configured for: receiving or sending information
associated with a game-playing transaction conducted or to be
conducted between a user device and a game-playing apparatus,
wherein the game-playing transaction is associated with a game,
wherein the game is associated with or comprises second
information; determining a location of the user device or the
game-playing apparatus associated with the game-playing
transaction; determining the user device or the game-playing
apparatus is located in an approved location associated with the
game; processing a game-playing transaction or enabling initiation
or conduction of the game-playing transaction based on at least one
of: determining the user device or the game-playing apparatus is
located in the approved location associated with the game based on
cross-referencing second location information or identification
information, and determining the location is consistent with the
second location information or identification information, or
determining a period of validity associated with the information or
the second information has not expired, wherein the game-playing
transaction is conducted or is to be conducted on a first
communication interface, and wherein the information associated
with the game-playing transaction is received or sent on the first
communication interface or a second communication interface.
[0250] In some embodiments, the user device or the game-playing
apparatus comprises at least one of a pump, an ATM, a servicing
station, a retail station, a local computing apparatus, a remote
computing apparatus, or the apparatus.
[0251] In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises at least one of
a pump, an ATM, a servicing station, a retail station, a local
computing apparatus, a remote computing apparatus, a user device,
or the game-playing apparatus.
[0252] In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises or is comprised
in a gaming facilitator.
[0253] In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises or is comprised
in a customized gaming facilitator.
[0254] In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises or is comprised
in a communications exchange server.
[0255] In some embodiments, an apparatus is provided for processing
game-playing transactions. The apparatus comprises a computing
device processor configured for: receiving or sending information
associated with a game-playing transaction between a user device
and a game-playing apparatus, wherein the game-playing transaction
is associated with a game, wherein the game is associated with or
comprises second information; determining a location of the user
device or the game-playing apparatus associated with the
game-playing transaction; determining the user device or the
game-playing apparatus is located in an approved location
associated with the game; modifying or configuring the user device
or the game-playing apparatus based on the user device or the
game-playing apparatus being located in the approved location
associated with the game, and based on at least one of: determining
the user device or the game-playing apparatus is located in the
approved location associated with the game based on
cross-referencing second location information or identification
information, and determining the location is consistent with the
second location information or identification information, or
determining a period of validity associated with the information or
the second information has not expired, wherein the game-playing
transaction is conducted or is to be conducted on a first
communication interface, and wherein the information associated
with the game-playing transaction is received or sent on the first
communication interface or a second communication interface.
[0256] In some embodiments, a fuel pump is provided for processing
game-playing transactions. The fuel pump comprises a computing
device processor associated configured for: receiving or sending
information associated with a game-playing transaction between a
user device and a game-playing apparatus, wherein the game-playing
transaction is associated with a game; determining a location of
the user device or the game-playing apparatus associated with the
game-playing transaction; determining the user device or the
game-playing apparatus is located in an approved location
associated with the game; processing a game-playing transaction or
enabling initiation or conduction of the game-playing transaction
based on at least one of: determining the user device or the
game-playing apparatus is located in the approved location
associated with the game based on cross-referencing second location
information or identification information, and determining the
location is consistent with the second location information or
identification information, or determining a period of validity
associated with the information has not expired, wherein the
game-playing transaction is conducted or is to be conducted on a
first communication interface, and wherein the information
associated with the game-playing transaction is received or sent on
the first communication interface or a second communication
interface.
[0257] In some embodiments, processing a game-playing transaction
or enabling initiation or conduction of the game-playing
transaction is further based on verifying or validating an identity
(e.g., name, age, other identification information) associated with
a user of the user device or game-playing apparatus. The identity
of the user may be verified or validated using any method,
including the method described in U.S. application Ser. No.
14/856,421, filed Sep. 16, 2015, published as US 2017/0076293.
[0258] U.S. application Ser. No. 15/614,490, filed Jun. 5, 2017,
issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,824,340 on Nov. 21, 2017, which is
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, is a
continuation-in-part of, and claims priority to, U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/856,421, filed Sep. 16, 2015, the
disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety for all purposes. U.S. application Ser. No. 15/818,569,
filed Nov. 20, 2017, is also a non-provisional of and claims
benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/458,457, filed on
Feb. 13, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference
in its entirety for all purposes.
[0259] This application also incorporates by reference the entirety
of PCT/US18/18071, filed Feb. 3, 2018, for all purposes.
[0260] The application also incorporates by reference the entirety
of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/818,041, filed Nov. 20, 2017, which
is a continuation of, and claims priority to U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/614,486, filed Jun. 5, 2017, issued as U.S.
Pat. No. 9,824,530 on Nov. 21, 2017, which is a continuation of,
and claims priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/958,715
filed on Dec. 3, 2015, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,672,687 on Jun. 6,
2017, which is a continuation of, and claims priority to, U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 14/018,276 filed on Sep. 4, 2013,
issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,227,136 on Jan. 5, 2016, which claims
priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/696,533
filed on Sep. 4, 2012, all the disclosures of which are hereby
incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.
[0261] This application also incorporates the entirety of U.S.
application Ser. No. 15/818,603, filed Nov. 20, 2017, which is a
continuation of and claims priority to Ser. No. 15/818,569, filed
Nov. 20, 2017, which is a continuation-in-part of, and claims
priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 15/614,490, filed Jun. 5,
2017, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,824,340 on Nov. 21, 2017, which is
a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority to, U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/958,720 filed on Dec. 3, 2015, issued as
U.S. Pat. No. 9,672,697 on Jun. 6, 2017, which is a
continuation-in-part of, and claims priority to, U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/018,276 filed on Sep. 4, 2013, issued as
U.S. Pat. No. 9,227,136 on Jan. 5, 2016, which claims priority to
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/696,533 filed on Sep. 4,
2012, all the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by
reference in their entirety for all purposes.
[0262] The present application incorporates-by-reference the
entirety of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/757,512, filed Feb. 1,
2013, published as US 2013/0196733, titled "Systems and Methods for
Integrated Game Play Through the Use of Proximity-Based
Communication on Smart Phones and Hand Held Devices," for all
purposes.
[0263] The present application incorporates-by-reference the
entirety of U.S. Application No. 61/593,762, filed Feb. 1, 2012,
titled "Systems and Methods for Integrated Game Play and Sales of
State Sponsored Lottery Products Through the Use of Near Field
Communication on Smart Phones and Hand Held Devices," for all
purposes.
[0264] The present application incorporates-by-reference the
entirety of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/856,421, filed Sep. 16,
2015, published as US 2017/0076293, titled "Creating, verification,
and integration of a digital identification on a mobile device" for
all purposes.
[0265] The present application incorporates-by-reference the
entirety of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/842,709, filed Mar. 15,
2013, published as US 2014/0274314, titled "Systems and Methods for
Integrated Game Play at Payment-Enabled Terminals," for all
purposes. The present application incorporates-by-reference the
entirety of PCT/US14/22877, filed Mar. 10, 2014, titled "Systems
and Methods for Integrated Game Play at Payment-Enabled Terminals,"
for all purposes.
[0266] The present application incorporates-by-reference the
entirety of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/055,866, filed Feb. 29,
2016, titled "Validating a Short-Range Mobile Device Transaction
Using a Long-Range Mobile Device Transaction," for all
purposes.
[0267] The present application incorporates-by-reference the
entirety of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/280,196, filed Oct. 24,
2011, published as US 2012/0244930, titled "Game Play System for
Automated Terminals," for all purposes. U.S. application Ser. No.
13/280,196 claim priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 11/734,207,
filed Apr. 11, 2007, titled "Systems and Methods for Providing
Lottery Game Play Through an Unmanned Terminal," which claims
priority to U.S. Application No. 60/886,818, filed Jan. 26, 2007,
titled "Systems and Methods for Integrating ATM and Lottery
Functions," all of which are incorporated by reference in their
entirety for all purposes.
[0268] The present application incorporates-by-reference the
entirety of PCT/US12/61744, filed Oct. 24, 2012, titled "Game Play
System for Automated Terminals," for all purposes. The present
application incorporates-by-reference the entirety of U.S.
application Ser. No. 13/839,558, filed Mar. 15, 2013, titled "Game
Play System for Automated Terminals," for all purposes.
[0269] The present application incorporates-by-reference the
entirety of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/829,776, filed Mar. 14,
2013, titled "Systems and Methods for Providing Lottery Game Play
Through an Unmanned Terminal," for all purposes. The present
application incorporates-by-reference the entirety of U.S.
application Ser. No. 13/839,469, filed Mar. 15, 2013, titled
"Systems and Methods for Providing Lottery Game Play Through an
Unmanned Terminal," for all purposes. The present application
incorporates-by-reference the entirety of PCT/US08/51955, filed
Jan. 24, 2008, titled "Systems and Methods for Providing Lottery
Game Play Through an Unmanned Terminal," for all purposes.
[0270] In general, the present disclosure relates to gaming
provider system and method of operation thereof. The gaming
provider system of this disclosure will be described in conjunction
with one or more example embodiments. However, the specific example
embodiments disclosed are merely provided to describe the inventive
concepts, features, advantages and objectives will sufficient
clarity to permit those skilled in this art to understand and
practice the disclosure. Any part of this disclosure may be used in
combination with any other part of this disclosure.
[0271] In some embodiments, any game described herein may be an
augmented or virtual reality game. In some embodiments, any game
described herein may additionally be a video game.
[0272] In some embodiments, a user obtains (e.g., purchases) a
game-playing card (e.g., a lottery game card) at a retail store,
kiosk, etc. The place of purchase may be a physical or electronic
store. At a retail checkout terminal (or any other local computing
apparatus), an operator or the user may swipe or otherwise transmit
information associated with the gaming card to a remote computing
apparatus (e.g., a backend server). The information associated with
the game-playing card may be transmitted as a data packet. For
example, the retail checkout terminal may extract information from
the code (e.g., a barcode) of the card, and transmit the extracted
information to the remote computing apparatus (e.g., backend
server). In other embodiments, the information associated with the
code is transmitted from the retail checkout terminal to the remote
computing apparatus, and the remote computing apparatus extracts
unique identification information associated with the card. The
data packet transmitted from the retail checkout terminal may
additionally include identification or location information
associated with the location or identity of the retail checkout
terminal (e.g., store identification information, terminal
identification information, network identification information,
merchant information, location information, etc.). In some
embodiments, this information may be embedded into the card itself.
This information may be cross-referenced or compared to approved
identification or location information to determine whether the two
quantities are consistent with or correspond to (e.g., match) each
other (or are mappable to each other). If yes, this means that the
data packet (i.e., the data packet received at the remote computing
apparatus) is received from an approved location (i.e., an approved
retail store or terminal) associated with the game associated with
the card.
[0273] The scratch off code (or alphanumeric indicia which has to
be scratched off to be visible) as described herein has a
one-to-one relationship with unique identification information of
the card, which may be a unique number (e.g., PAN number)
associated with the card. When the scratch-off code is received by
the backend server, which may be associated with any network
described herein, the backend server searches for the unique
identification information associated with the received scratch off
code. The backend server proceeds to associate the phone number
(and/or other mobile device identification information associated
with the mobile device that sent the scratch off code such as the
mobile device make, model, user, location, operation system, etc.,
from which the scratch off code is received, etc.) with at least
one of the unique identification information of the card or the
scratch off code of the card.
[0274] There may be a one-to-many relationship between mobile
device identification information and card identification
information because a single mobile device may be associated with
one or more game-playing cards associated with one or more gaming
partners and/or one or more games and/or one or more approved
jurisdictions associated with the games.
[0275] Assume a user has exhausted funds on a particular gaming
card (e.g., the user has played all games on a particular card).
The user now reloads a card at the retail checkout terminal or via
any other reloading mechanism (e.g., including via a mobile
device). The reloading process may comprise swiping the card at the
retail checkout terminal or any other transaction mechanism (e.g.,
a short-range or long-range wireless transaction) between the card
and the a computing apparatus such as the retail checkout terminal.
The reloading process may include a financial transaction similar
to the transaction when the card was initially purchased. A data
packet comprising the unique identification information of the card
is transmitted to the remote computing apparatus (i.e., the backend
server). The backend server identifies or finds the mobile device
information (e.g., phone number or any other information described
herein) associated with the unique card identification information.
The backend server facilitates automatically obtaining a ticket
(e.g., automatically purchasing a ticket) from a gaming partner
associated with the card, and transmits a ticket associated with
the card electronically to the mobile device via any messaging
mechanisms described herein.
[0276] In some embodiments, one or more elements of any embodiments
described herein (e.g., such as messaging features) may be realized
using a mobile application. In some embodiments, the reloading of a
card may be processed or approved at any retailer (or any retail
checkout terminal) in an approved jurisdiction associated with the
card or associated with the game associated with the card. In some
embodiments, the reloading of a card approved for games in a
particular jurisdiction may need to occur in that jurisdiction. In
other embodiments, the reloading of a card approved for games in a
particular jurisdiction may occur outside that jurisdiction.
[0277] In some embodiments, any game-playing card described herein
may not have an expiry date. In such embodiments, any funds on a
card may be used (e.g., automatically by the backend server) to
obtain (e.g., purchase) a ticket (or multiple tickets) for the next
draw associated with the game associated with the card. In some
embodiments, the backend server obtains a single ticket for each
draw. In other embodiments, a user of the card may have control
over which draw and/or games to participate in using excess or
remaining funds on the card. In some embodiments, a period of
validity may be associated with a game-playing transaction or game
information or any other information described herein.
[0278] Some embodiments provide a gaming provider system that can
include a gaming facilitator in communication with a network and
may include application logic operable to execute a gaming
transaction. One or more lottery gift cards can be issued by the
gaming provider and each may include a universal product code for
barcode scanning for purchase by a user at a retail store. The
gaming facilitator can include a card issuing system for tracking
purchases and gaming transactions associated with the one or more
lottery gift cards. The gaming facilitator can be in communication
with at least one mobile device associated with the user through
the network for commencing the gaming transaction. The gaming
facilitator may be in communication with a gaming system of a
jurisdiction for generating the gaming transaction and with a third
party payment provider for providing payment to the user. The one
or more lottery gift cards can identify at least one lottery game
and have a card number and a unique scratch off code and are
reusable by the user to initiate the gaming transaction. The one or
more lottery gift cards can also each include a short code for
entry by the user using the at least one mobile device to initiate
a messaging session (e.g., a text messaging session or other
messaging session such as through a mobile application) with the
gaming facilitator. The unique scratch off code can be unique
across all lottery jurisdictions and have one or more characters
for entry by the user using the at least one mobile device during
the text messaging session. As used herein, a text message may
refer to any kind of message, including mobile application
messages, etc.
[0279] In some embodiments, the gaming facilitator can be
configured to log a purchase of the one or more lottery gift cards
at the retail store for providing a commission to the retail store
and initiate the gaming transaction through the gaming system in
response to the user entering the short code in the at least one
mobile device. Additionally, the gaming facilitator can be
configured to commence a text messaging session with the at least
one mobile device, communicate with the at least one mobile device
using the text messaging session, and receive the scratch off code
as a first user text message during the text messaging session. The
gaming facilitator can then be configured to communicate with the
gaming system to receive at least one lottery number set generated
by the gaming system and transmit a first gaming facilitator text
message including the at least one lottery number set to the at
least one mobile device in the text messaging session.
[0280] In some embodiments, the gaming facilitator can be
configured to determine if the at least one lottery number set is a
winning lottery number set and determine if the winning lottery
number set qualifies as a low tier win or a high tier win. Then,
the gaming facilitator can be configured to transmit a second
gaming facilitator text message including a notification of winning
and a winning link having one or more payment options to the at
least one mobile device in response to the at least one lottery
number set being the winning lottery number set. The gaming
facilitator may also be configured to provide instructions to the
user using the text messaging session for payment in response to
the winning lottery number set qualifying as the high tier win. The
gaming facilitator can be configured to confirm an identity of the
user in response to the winning lottery number set qualifying as
the low tier win in response to the user utilizing the winning link
and initiate payment to the user through the third party payment
provider in response to confirmation of the identity of the
user.
[0281] As best shown in FIG. 12, a gaming provider system 20 can
include a gaming facilitator 22 in communication with a network and
may include application logic operable to execute a gaming
transaction. The gaming facilitator 22 may include one or more
software-customized processors. The gaming facilitator 22 can be in
communication with at least one mobile device 24 (e.g.,
Android.RTM. phone, iPhone.RTM., etc.) associated with a user 26
through the network for commencing the gaming transaction. The
gaming facilitator 22 may also be in communication with a gaming
system 28 of a jurisdiction (and/or of a particular gaming company
or partner) for generating the gaming transaction and with a third
party payment provider 30 (e.g., PayPal.RTM.) for providing payment
to the user 26. Alternatively, payment can be provided through
automated clearing house (ACH) transfers.
[0282] One or more lottery gift cards 32 can be issued by the
gaming facilitator 22 and each may include a universal product code
(UPC) for barcode scanning (e.g., by a terminal at a retail store)
for purchase by the user 26 at a retail store. Any code as
described herein may also be referred to as indicia, which can be
visual or non-visual indicia. The terminal may be a manned or
unmanned checkout station. In some embodiments, the gift card may
include another mechanism (e.g., RFID, NFC, Bluetooth, Bluetooth
Low Energy, Infrared, cellular, WiFi, etc.) for transmitting the
information on the card. In some embodiments, the card may be a
physical card. In other embodiments, the card may be an electronic
card stored on a mobile device such as a mobile phone, watch, or
other mobile or portable computing device. Specifically, the
lottery gift cards 32 may be purchased at participating
(lottery-enabled) retail stores, known as distribution partners or
at point of sale (POS) terminals using any form of payment allowed
by the jurisdiction in which the sale takes place (some
jurisdictions do not allow credit card payment for lottery games).
In some embodiments, the cards may be purchased over the Internet
using a computing device such as a mobile computing device. In some
embodiments, any payment for any game or card described herein may
be an electronic payment using cryptocurrency. The gaming
facilitator 22 can include or be associated with a card issuing
system (e.g., utilizing a database) for tracking purchases and
gaming transactions associated with the one or more lottery gift
cards 32. The one or more lottery gift cards 32 can identify at
least one lottery game (e.g., on the face of a card) and have a
card number 34 (or other card identification information) and are
reusable by the user 26 to initiate gaming transactions. After
their initial use, value may be added to the lottery gift cards 32
at a retail store, kiosk, or via a mobile device, in order to play
future lottery games (i.e., the lottery gift cards 32 are
rechargeable). Any mechanism (e.g., swiping, short-range wireless
transaction, etc.) used for purchase of the card can be used to
reload the card. In some embodiments, users 26 or players can reuse
the card multiple times (no limit) across all participating
jurisdictions associated with a particular game.
[0283] In some embodiments, players may not reload lottery gift
cards 32 that have not been played if the reload attempt is within
a jurisdiction that is different from the one in which the lottery
gift card 32 was purchased and activated. In other embodiments,
players may reload gift cards 32 in any jurisdiction, regardless of
whether it is the same or different from the jurisdiction where the
lottery gift card 32 was purchased and activated. Additional
requirements may specify what happens when a reload is delayed at a
computing terminal (e.g., POS terminal, mobile terminal, etc.) due
to draw breaks, off sale times, and system issues (outages). In all
of these scenarios, the reload attempt (lottery purchase attempt)
may be retried (e.g., automatically) at the next available open
window unless the reload attempt has been previously canceled by
the user. In some embodiments, four different lottery gift cards 32
(four different UPCs) may be used to enable the user 26 to play
three or five plays for the Powerball.RTM. lottery ($6 card value
and $10 card value, respectively) or five or ten plays of the Mega
Millions.RTM. lottery ($5 card value and $10 card value). The
lottery gift cards 32 may also display other items such as, but not
limited to terms and conditions and instructions for how to
play.
[0284] The lottery gift card 32 becomes activated once the payment
is processed. Specifically, the activation goes from the POS
terminal to the network of the gaming facilitator 22. The
activation process completes within seconds after the payment is
processed; however, the activation of the purchased lottery gift
card 32 does trigger the purchase of the corresponding lottery
game. Thus, the lottery gift card 32 may be used at a later time or
given as a gift to another person. The lottery gift card 32 may
include one or more games, each game may be associated with one or
more same or different gaming partners or providers. In some
embodiments, each game may be associated with one or more
jurisdictions. In some embodiments, all games on a lottery card are
associated with a single gaming partner and/or a single
jurisdiction.
[0285] As best shown in FIG. 13, the one or more lottery gift cards
32 each can include a unique scratch off code 38 and can also each
include a short code 40 (e.g., 26370) for entry by the user 26
using the at least one mobile device 24 to initiate a text
messaging session 42 with the gaming facilitator 22. The unique
scratch off code 38 can be unique across all lottery jurisdictions
and have one or more characters (e.g., eight alphabetic characters)
for entry by the user 26 using the at least one mobile device 24
during the text messaging session 42. So, the user 26 can text the
scratch off code 38 to the short code 40. In some embodiments, the
scratch off code may be some other visual or non-visual indicia
stored on the card. In some embodiments, the scratch off code may
be input to the mobile device via some other input mechanism (e.g.,
capturing an image of the code, or some other wireless
communication mechanism described in this disclosure). In some
embodiments, the short code may be some other visual or non-visual
indicia stored on the card. In some embodiments, the scratch off
code may be communicated to the short code via any communication
mechanism (e.g., cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth Low Energy, RFID, NFC,
or another wireless communication mechanism described herein). Any
wireless communication mechanism or process described herein may
additionally or alternatively be performed via a wired
communication mechanism or process. In some embodiments, any
lottery card described herein may refer to any card, whether
associated with a lottery game or some other game.
[0286] The gaming facilitator 22 can be configured to log a
purchase (e.g., details of the lottery card, user buying the
lottery card, etc.) of the one or more lottery gift cards 32 at the
retail store for providing a commission to the retail store and
initiate the gaming transaction through the gaming system 28 in
response to the user 26 entering the short code 40 in the at least
one mobile device 24. Additionally, the gaming facilitator 22 can
be configured to commence or participate in a text messaging
session 42 (FIGS. 13-15) with the at least one mobile device 24,
communicate with the at least one mobile device 24 using the text
messaging session 42, and receive the scratch off code 38 as a
first user text message 44 during the text messaging session 42.
The gaming facilitator 22 can then be configured to communicate
with the gaming system 28 (or any other system) to receive at least
one lottery number set (i.e., board) generated by the gaming system
28 and transmit a first gaming facilitator text message 46
including the at least one lottery number set to the at least one
mobile device 24 in the text messaging session 42. Any text
messaging session described herein may alternatively be any
information sending and/or receiving session.
[0287] Additionally, the gaming facilitator 22 can be configured to
determine if the at least one lottery number set is a winning
lottery number set and determine if the winning lottery number set
qualifies as a low tier win or a high tier win ("low tier" for
smaller jackpots and "high tier" for larger jackpots). Then, the
gaming facilitator 22 can be configured to transmit a second gaming
facilitator text message 48 including a notification of winning and
a winning link 50 (e.g., hypertext link to a secure website that
employs the secure Hypertext Transfer Protocol, for instance)
having one or more payment options to the at least one mobile
device 24 in response to the at least one lottery number set being
the winning lottery number set (FIG. 15). The gaming facilitator 22
may also be configured to provide instructions 36 to the user 26
for payment in response to the winning lottery number set
qualifying as the high tier win (FIG. 18). The gaming facilitator
22 can be configured to confirm an identity of the user 26 in
response to the winning lottery number set qualifying as the low
tier win in response to the user 26 utilizing the winning link 50
(FIG. 15) and initiate payment to the user 26 through the third
party payment provider 30 in response to confirmation of the
identity of the user 26 (FIG. 16). In the event that payment is
provided through an ACH transfer, an ACH data entry page can be
provided on the website that allows the user 26 to enter their
preferred ACH account information: Full Name, Routing number,
Account number, Bank Name. This information can then be validated
and a confirmation can be sent to the user 26 (e.g., text
message).
[0288] The user's identity may be confirmed through any
identification mechanism described herein. In some embodiments, the
user may enter a code. In some embodiments, the user may provide a
photo of any body part of the user such as the user's face. In some
embodiments, the user may provide a fingerprint. The user's
identity may be confirmed by comparing or cross-referencing the
user provided information to information comprised in an
identification database.
[0289] Referring now to FIG. 8, a method for providing a gaming
transaction using a gaming provider system 20 is also disclosed.
The method can include the step of providing one or more lottery
gift cards 32 having a universal product code and a card number 34
and a short code 40 and a scratch off code 38 for purchase at a
retail store by a user 26. The method can continue by verifying the
age of the user 26 intending to purchase the one or more lottery
gift cards 32 at the retail store. Such age verification may be
carried out just as is done for alcohol purchases (i.e., a store
clerk checks the driver's license or other ID to confirm the age of
the user 26). It should be appreciated that other age verification
steps may be used in addition to or in place of age verification by
the store clerk, such as, but not limited to a later exchange of
additional text messages to confirm the age of the user 26 once the
lottery gift card 32 has been purchased. In some embodiments, age
verification of the user may be performed as part of identification
verification of the user. The method can proceed with the steps of
receiving a notice (e.g., at the mobile device or the POS terminal)
of a purchase of the one or more lottery gift cards 32 at the
retail store at a gaming facilitator 22 in response to the
universal product code being scanned at the retail store and
logging the purchase of the one or more lottery gift cards 32 at
the gaming facilitator 22 to provide a commission to the retail
store. More specifically, the gaming facilitator 22 can digitally
record all transactions of lottery gift cards 32 and provide
reporting of the transactions to the appropriate retail stores or
retailers by brand, location, or partner or to the gaming partners
by game type, location, or retail store. In addition, the gaming
facilitator 22 can also provide a real time journal file to the
appropriate lottery security group or lottery internal control
system. The gaming facilitator 22 may also manage settlement of
funds to the appropriate lottery or gaming partner for these
transactions.
[0290] Next, the method can include the step of commencing or
conducting a text messaging session 42 (or other information
sending and/or receiving session) with at least one mobile device
24 in response to the user 26 entering the short code 40 in the at
least one mobile device 24. Then, the method can continue by
initiating a gaming transaction through a gaming system 28 in
communication with the gaming facilitator 22 and communicating with
the at least one mobile device 24 using the text messaging session
42. When such a play request is received for a lottery gift card
32, all outstanding plays will be played in the jurisdiction where
the monies were received for those transactions. So, for example,
if the lottery gift card 32 was purchased in North Carolina and
then played in California, the North Carolina lottery will be
played. The method can continue with the steps of receiving a
scratch off code 38 as a first user text message 44 during the text
messaging session 42 and marrying the card number (or other
identification information) of the at least one lottery gift card
32 to a phone number of the mobile device 24. Thus, once the
lottery gift card 32 is associated with the phone number of the
mobile device 24, the user 26 may make future plays without any
additional registration or verification.
[0291] On a subsequent play after reloading the card, if the user
26 sends the scratch off code 38 to the short code 40 using a
different mobile number than the initial play, then the user 26 may
receive an error text message (e.g., "This card has already been
played. To view the numbers for this play, you need to send the
scratch off code from the mobile device 24 that was used to play
the first time."). Similar error messages can be provided if the
user 26 sends the scratch off code 38 multiple times without
reloading the lottery gift card 32. In some embodiments, the user
may make subsequent plays using the same scratch off code but a
different mobile number. In such embodiments, multiple mobile
numbers (or other user identification information) will be
associated with the card number (or other card identification
information).
[0292] The method can continue with the step of communicating with
the gaming system 28 to receive at least one lottery number set
generated by the gaming system 28. If user 26 sends an incorrect,
duplicate, or inactive scratch off code 38, they can receive an
error message (e.g., "Your play cannot be completed at this time.
Please call 1-855-###-#### for further assistance."). Similarly, if
a play attempt fails because the request was made during a draw
break or game is off sale, the user 26 can be sent a text message
with another error message (e.g., "Sorry, lottery is off sale right
now. We will send your numbers when lottery is on sale again.").
Once the lottery goes on sale again, user 26 receives play success
message with played numbers. Next, the method can include the step
of transmitting a first gaming facilitator text message 46
including the at least one lottery number set to the at least one
mobile device 24 in the text messaging session 42. Then, the method
can include the step of maintaining a record of historical plays
including the at least lottery number set for each gaming
transaction previously completed. If the user 26 sends "VIEW" to
the short code 40, and has already played they can receive a text
message to indicate that the numbers will be resent (e.g., "This
card has already been played. Your numbers will be resent below.")
along with their played numbers. Likewise, if the user 26 sends
"VIEW" to the short code 40, and have not yet played they should
receive a text message requesting that they send the scratch off
code 38 (e.g., "Send the scratch off code from the back of your
Lottery Card to play and view your numbers!"). The user 26 can text
similar commands to the short code 40, such as, but not limited to
"STOP" to stop receiving any associated marketing text messages, or
"HELP" to receive instructions on how to play or access the
website. The gaming facilitator 22 records all transactions and
provides reporting of transactions to the appropriate lottery
authority or gaming system 28 by jurisdiction.
[0293] The method may then continue by determining if the at least
one lottery number set is a winning lottery number set and
determining if the winning lottery number set qualifies as a low
tier win or a high tier win. The method may then include the step
of transmitting a second gaming facilitator text message 48
including a notification of winning and a winning link 50 (e.g.,
hypertext link to the website) having one or more payment options
to the at least one mobile device 24 in response to the at least
one lottery number set being the winning lottery number set.
Notifications may even be sent for some other event, such as when
the user 26 does not win (e.g., a message from the retail store
saying "better luck next time, but here's a 10% digital coupon to
our store") or notifications when the lottery jackpot becomes
large. The method can then proceed by providing instructions 36
(e.g., using a hypertext link the website) to the user 26 for
payment in response to the winning lottery number set qualifying as
the high tier win. The user 26 may also send "REDEEM" to the short
code 40, and then they can receive a text message concerning their
winnings (e.g., "lotterycardwebsite.com to view your Winnings and
choose how to get paid if you win"). The method may also include
the step of confirming an identity of the user 26 in response to
the winning lottery number set qualifying as the low tier win or
high tier win in response to the user 26 utilizing the winning link
50. Identification verification may be performed by any technique
described herein. The method can conclude with the step of
initiating payment to the user 26 through the third party payment
provider 30 in response to confirmation of the identity of the user
26 for a low tier win. In some embodiments, the user 26 may be
given the option of requesting payment for winning in the form of a
retailer gift card that may even have a value greater than what the
cash winnings would be (e.g., $7 cash winnings, but can
alternatively receive an $8 gift card).
[0294] In some embodiments, the user 26 does not have to register
to claim high tier winnings, but does need to visit the lottery
office. When the user 26 is at the lottery office to redeem their
high tier winnings and the lottery clerk can select the "Click here
to enter PIN on PIN Pad" button on a tool, the user 26 can be sent
a six digit code to their mobile number that was used to play. The
user 26 can then enter this six digit code in the tool to verify
their identity and proceed with claiming their high tier
winnings.
[0295] FIG. 28 illustrates some entities that may be involved in a
gaming provider system. A user 2801 may purchase a lottery play at
a point of sale (POS) 2803. The user 2801 may purchase a physical
lottery card 2813 with an identifying barcode or other card
identifying mechanism. The identifying barcode or mechanism may be
to record transactions (e.g. in order to avoid repurchase or
reactivation of the same lottery card) and/or authorize
transactions (e.g. via lookup in a database system associating at
least one lottery card 2813 with at least one merchant and/or POS
2803). Alternatively, the user 2801 may acquire a virtual lottery
card 2813 by way of electronic communication (e.g. RFID, NFC,
Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, Infrared, cellular, WiFi, QR code)
involving a user device 2811 and a POS 2803. Alternatively, the
electronic communication may involve a user device 2811 while not
involving a POS 2803. Upon purchase, the POS 2803 and/or associated
identifying information may be analyzed by a transaction processing
and/or authorization network (TPN) 2805 to determine whether or not
the POS 2803 and/or its retail location is authorized to sell
lottery cards 2813, e.g. based on geographic location or network
membership. The TPN 2805 may further facilitate financial
transactions between the POS and a value added network (VAN) 2807,
e.g. by recording POS 2803 activity associated with lottery cards
2803 and/or sending payments between the POS 2803 and VAN 2807.
Upon successful lottery card 2813 purchase and/or POS 2803
approval, the lottery card 2813 may be activated automatically or
by submission of associated lottery card 2813 information, e.g.
from user device 2811 to the VAN 2807.
[0296] Unique information associated with each lottery card 2813
may be generated and recorded by a value added network (VAN) 2807
and/or card issuer 2815. Physical lottery cards 2813 may further be
printed by a card issuer 2815 for distribution to a POS 2803. The
unique information may include a primary account number (PAN)
and/or a scratch code. Upon purchase, the POS 2803 may access a TPN
2805 to authorize the lottery card 2813 purchase based on the
unique information, e.g. by cross-referencing location information
with a database. In the case of a lottery replay purchase (e.g.
using a previously purchased lottery card 2813) or lottery play
stacking (i.e. purchasing multiple plays before exhausting existing
play(s) 2813), historical and/or jurisdictional information may be
referenced to authorize the lottery card 2813 purchase, e.g. based
on allowable number of replays and/or whether the jurisdiction
allows replays from a given geographical location. Additionally,
lottery card 2813 and/or user device 2811 activity may be monitored
to determine unintended, malfunctioning, or fraudulent behavior
(e.g. based on play purchase velocity or geographic location of
purchases).
[0297] All information associated with the lottery play (e.g.
purchase, activation, registration, play, replay, play results,
messaging, financial transactions) may be communicated to and
recorded by a VAN 2807. This communication may occur through one or
more intermediary entities, such as a POS 2803, TPN 2805, card
issuer 2815, user device 2811, messaging system 2817, financial
system 2819, and/or lottery system 2809. The VAN 2807 may utilize
the information to inform internal (i.e. within the VAN) or
external activities (e.g. lottery system, card issuer) rule-based
events.
[0298] The user device 2811 may be a cellular and/or
Internet-enabled device. The messaging system 2817 may relay text,
image, audio, and/or video messages, e.g. via SMS, MMS, or Internet
URL. The financial system 2819 may comprise a third party
electronic payment system capable of sending ACH transfers or
transferring money among accounts within the financial system The
lottery system 2809 may comprise a system capable of transmitting
game play offerings, transmitting game play purchase prices,
receiving requests for one or more game plays, returning results of
one or more game plays, receiving payments for game play purchases,
and/or sending payments associated with game play results.
[0299] In some embodiments, the phone number and/or location
information (e.g. from cellular towers, GPS) associated with a user
device may be analyzed to determine jurisdictional and/or fraud
compliance. In some embodiments, location information associated
with a user device and/or lottery card may be analyzed to determine
game play offerings and/or promotional offers.
[0300] In some embodiments, lottery plays may be transferred from
one user device to another user device.
[0301] In some embodiments, an event-based system (e.g. based on
time or location) may be utilized to determine periods to avoid
sending communications to the user device.
[0302] In some embodiments, a user may manually select information
related to a game play, e.g. a user may select the virtual and/or
physical scratch-off locations associated with a scratch-off game
as a lottery player might traditionally do with physical lottery
tickets. The user may also allow the user device and/or remote
system (e.g. VAN, lottery system) to automatically select and/or
generate information related to a game play, e.g. numbers chosen
for a board-based lottery game.
[0303] In some embodiments, a threshold may be established such
that all prizes associated with game play outcomes ("prizes") below
the threshold may be automatically sent via a financial system,
whereas all prizes above or equal to the threshold may require
further verification steps before payment (e.g. user and/or user
device verification at a designated physical location).
[0304] In some embodiments, an unclaimed prize may expire based on
the user, game play jurisdiction, game play geographical location,
lottery system associated with the game play, and/or expiration
events (e.g. time thresholds).
[0305] In some embodiments, a purchase of a game card is initiated
by scanning a barcode at a point of sale terminal. In other
embodiments, the purchase may be initiated at an unmanned terminal.
In some embodiments, the purchase may be initiated by conducting a
chip-based transmission of information from the game card to the
point of sale terminal. In some embodiments, the game card may be a
lottery card. Any gaming card described herein may be a physical
card or a digital card. In some embodiments, the purchase may be
made directly by a mobile computing device associated with a user.
Therefore, in some embodiments, the user's mobile computing device
(or non-mobile computing device) may be the POS terminal.
[0306] If the first network is not online, the POS terminal may
directly send the information (e.g., the scanned information) to
the second network. Alternatively or additionally, the POS terminal
may send a signal to the first network that causes the first
network to resolve any issues and come online. Once the first
network comes online, the first network forwards the information to
the second network. Once the second network receives the
information (e.g., from the first network and/or from the POS
terminal), the second network processes the transaction (e.g., the
purchase transaction for purchasing the gaming card), and sends a
response regarding either successfully or unsuccessfully processing
the transaction back to the POS terminal (e.g., either directly to
the POS terminal or via the first network). The second network may
have access to a database that includes authorized retailer
locations (e.g., merchants, entities, geographical locations,
network locations, etc.) for selling the gaming card. The location
of the purchase may be included in the information transmitted from
the POS terminal. If the location is not present in the database, a
transaction declined message is transmitted to the POS
terminal.
[0307] If the location is present in the database, a determination
is made (e.g., by the second network) as to whether the gaming card
status is generated or disabled. If the gaming card is disabled, a
decline message is transmitted to the POS terminal (e.g., directly
or via the first network) because the card is disabled. If the
gaming card is not disabled, the second network determines whether
the card is already activated. If the gaming card is already
activated, a decline message is transmitted to the POS terminal
(e.g., directly or via the first network) because the card is
already activated. If the gaming card is not already activated, the
second network determines whether the gaming card has already been
played. If the gaming card has been played, a decline message is
transmitted to the POS terminal (e.g., directly or via the first
network) because the card has already been played.
[0308] If the gaming card has not been played and/or if a funds
balance to play a game is present, the second network sends an
approval message to the first network and/or the POS terminal,
wherein the approval message may be displayed on the POS terminal.
The second network also sets the PAN card status to activated and
sets the card state to active. The second network also records the
state-specific (e.g., jurisdiction specific) PAN obligation
associated with the card, sets the obligation date, and records
purchase details for the record. The card is now registered for
play.
[0309] The information from the point of sale (POS) terminal is
transmitted to a first network. The process flow then moves on to
determine whether a first network is online. The first network may
be a game card network, a card network, a game network, a first
server specifically configured for card-based gaming transactions,
etc. If the first network is online, the information from the first
network is transmitted to a second server. The second network may
be a gaming facilitator network, a communication processing
network, a second server specifically configured for gaming
transactions such as card-based gaming transactions, etc.
[0310] Any features associated with any one figure may be
associated with or combined with features of any other figure, even
if not illustrated in the figures. Additionally, steps of each
figure may be performed in any order that may be the same as or
different from the order shown in the figure. Any feature (e.g.,
any element) may be combined with any other element described or
illustrated herein.
[0311] FIG. 20 illustrates a system 2000 for mixed mode lottery
game play. For example, multiple lottery games and/or types of
lottery games may be played on a single user device. A user device
may be a mobile phone, a tablet, a personal computer, a wearable
device (e.g. fitness tracker, wrist-worn computer), smart jewelry
(e.g. ring or necklace), or any electronic device a configured to
receive external information with which a user can interact. Any
network described herein may include one or more local or remote
computing apparatuses such as game-playing apparatuses. Any box in
any figure may represent one or more local or remote computing
apparatuses, which may be specially configured (e.g., specially
purposed processors or hardware, specially purposed or customized
software, etc.) for performing specific operations associated with
game-playing transactions. Transactions may include financial
data.
[0312] Lottery cards may be created and distributed to a merchant
2001. A merchant 2001 may comprise a retail POS terminal, and a
lottery card holder 2007 may comprise a user and/or an
Internet-enabled user device. A retail POS terminal may be a
checkout terminal (e.g. at a grocery store or gas station), a gas
pump terminal, or an electronic kiosk (either dedicated for lottery
activity or one utilized for other activities, such as movie
rental, electronic equipment purchase, or food purchase). Each
lottery card may be associated with a unique account number, a
unique activation code, a denominated number of game plays, and/or
a purchase price. A lottery card may be presented for purchase at a
POS. The POS may receive the unique account number and access a TPN
2003 to authorize and complete the purchase of the lottery card,
e.g. based on geographic location information of the POS, lottery
card, and/or user device. The TPN may further communicate through a
lottery card issuer 2005 to inform another system (e.g. a VAN 2009)
of transaction information. The lottery card issuer 2005 may be an
entity which generates lottery cards and their associated data for
distribution to merchants 2001. Additionally, a lottery card issuer
may be incorporated within the VAN 2009, or it may not be.
Additionally, a lottery card issuer may simply record activity
associated with lottery cards (e.g. purchase, activation), but not
be involved in generation of lottery card information. After
purchase, the lottery card holder may redeem the game plays via an
Internet-enabled device (e.g., a mobile telecommunication device
such as a mobile phone) by entering the unique activation code from
the lottery card on the device. Alternatively, the game plays may
be automatically redeemed upon purchase of the lottery card; in
such a scenario, the automatic redemption may require submission of
user device information (e.g. phone number or NFC information) in
order to transfer the redeemed game play to the user device. The
device may transmit the unique activation code and lottery card
holder's device identification to the VAN 2009. The VAN 2009 may
comprise an intermediary system for facilitating game play and/or
other transactions among a lottery card holder 2007, merchant 2001,
and lottery system 2011. The VAN 2009 may receive and validate the
unique activation code, register the lottery card's unique account
number with the lottery card holder's device ID (which could be a
phone number), and request game entries from the lottery system
2011. The lottery system 2011 may comprise a governmental-run (e.g.
state-run) system or government-authorized system, which may define
rules, prices, and/or prices of lottery game plays, and which may
further facilitate lottery-based transactions (e.g. involving game
play or transaction data). The VAN 2009 may receive the game
entries and transmit them via a digital lottery ticket to the
lottery card holder's device. Upon lottery draw occurrence, the
lottery system may transmit results to the VAN 2009. The VAN 2009
may process the results and transmit a result notification to the
device registered to the lottery card. If the digital lottery
ticket is a low-tier prize winner, the VAN 2009 may send a prize
payment to the lottery card holder's registered device (e.g.
without additional verification required). If the digital lottery
ticket is a high-tier winner, the VAN may provide instruction via
the player's device on how to claim the prize with the lottery
system.
[0313] FIG. 21 illustrates a verification system and method 2100
for verifying the winner of a digital lottery game play. Such a
system and method 2100 may also be advantageous by making the
lottery prize redemption process more convenient (e.g. by
auto-detect and notify a player) as well as reducing the
possibility of lost lottery tickets (e.g. via alternative winner
verification methods and/or winner account recovery).
[0314] A digital lottery ticket may be issued by a value added
network (VAN) 2107 to a lottery player's Internet-enabled device
2111 via two identifying elements: a device identification code
(device ID) and a unique account number (PAN). The device ID and/or
PAN may be fixed information associated with a player device 2111
and/or lottery card, or they may be mutable information changeable
by a lottery player 2103, a VAN 2107, a lottery system 2101, and/or
a lottery ticket issuer 2109. A lottery draw may occur and the
lottery player with a digital lottery ticket may win a prize. The
player 2103 may present the winning digital lottery ticket to a
lottery system 2101 to claim the prize. The player may enter the
PAN and/or any other identifying information (e.g., associated with
the device, the digital lottery ticket, the user, etc.) on an
Internet-enabled verification device 2105. The Internet-enabled
verification device 2105 may have wireless communication abilities
(NFC, RFID, WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular, etc.). The PAN and/or other
identifying information may be transmitted to a VAN 2107. The VAN
2107 may analyze the PAN for validation purposes and send a unique
prize verification code (PVC) to the device 2111 registered to the
PAN. The player may receive the PVC on the registered device 2111
and enter the PVC on the Internet-enabled verification device 2105.
The device 2105 may transmit the PVC entered on the device 2105 to
the VAN 2107, e.g. to close the validation loop. The VAN 2107 may
validate the PVC, send a winner verification code (WVC) to the
Internet-enabled verification device 2105, and transmit a verified
claim notification to the lottery ticket issuer 2109. The lottery
ticket issuer may proceed by granting the verified user the prize.
The lottery ticket issuer 2109 may be incorporated within the
lottery system 2101, or it may not be. The lottery ticket issuer
2109 may be responsible for generating information associated with
lottery games and distributing lottery tickets, or it may just be
responsible for distribution of lottery tickets based on lottery
game information received from another entity (e.g. a lottery
system 2101).
[0315] In addition to utilizing a verification device 2105 for
"high tier" prize winners, the verification system may enable
automatic checking and notification of lottery play results
regardless of prize tier. Therefore, the verification system can
make the lottery game play process more convenient by not requiring
the lottery player to determine the results of a game play (e.g.
whether lottery ticket numbers match drawn numbers). Additionally,
because only the player device needs to be retained to win and
claim a lottery prize, a lottery player cannot lose the lottery
ticket as might be the case with physical (e.g. paper) tickets.
Further, in the case that a player device 2111 is lost, stolen, or
broken, virtual information associated with the player and/or
player device 2111 may allow recovery of the lottery account and/or
prize winnings associated with the player 2103 and/or player device
2111.
[0316] FIG. 22 illustrates a system and method 2200 for delivering
event-driven, customizable targeted data (e.g. marketing
promotions) to lottery players via an Internet-enabled device.
[0317] Patterns of event data may be identified (e.g., over a
period of time) to form player profile data. The player profile
data may comprise metadata (e.g., player's game playing history
including identity of mobile devices used to play games, play's
game playing purchase history, player's identification information
include age, location, name, other details, etc.) describing a
lottery player associated with lottery game play via an
Internet-enabled digital device. Player profile data and/or event
data may be external data 2201 or internal data 2203. The player
data may be processed or combined (e.g., dynamically at the time of
delivering the targeted data) to form dynamic data 2207. Customized
targeted data 2215 (e.g., targeted signal) may be generated for the
player using the dynamic data 2207 based on events 2213 (e.g.,
winning, losing, purchasing one or more tickets, etc.) associated
with lottery game play. For instance, such an event 2213 may
include losing a lottery game, and the associated customized
targeted data 2215 may include a coupon for the retailer of the
lottery ticket. Additionally, a game multiplier purchase may be
offered post game entry but pre-draw. Additionally, dynamic data
may change on external and/or internal data; for example, a
different day of the week may result in different dynamic data,
which may in turn result in different customized targeted data.
External data 2201 may comprise the prize awarded to the lottery
player (e.g. dollar amount) or lottery ticket merchant rules for
modifying the prize associated with a lottery win or loss (e.g.
offer in-store credit in addition to lottery winnings in order to
incent lottery ticket purchase from that merchant). Additionally,
external data may comprise any data not collected by a VAN (e.g.
data from merchant, transaction processing and/or authorization
network, lottery ticket issuer, and/or lottery system). Internal
data 2203 may comprise VAN rules (e.g. for rule-based events) or
any other data captured by a VAN. Based on the external data 2201
and internal data 2203, a data processing transformation 2205
produces dynamic data 2207 that may change depending on an event
2213. Data processing 2205 may include processing based on defined
rules (e.g. set by the VAN) or intelligently generated rules at the
time of processing, or it may include processing based on ad hoc
rules (e.g. via unclassified pattern recognition). Additionally,
data processing may reduce or compress the input sources of data
(i.e. external and/or internal data). The dynamic data 2207 can be
further informed or modified by a data modeling process 2209 and/or
by information from a targeted data database 2211. A targeted data
database 2211 may be populated with targeted data by a VAN,
merchant, and/or lottery system. Any gaming and/or transaction
(e.g. financial transaction) may be a type of computing
operation.
[0318] Benefits of such a system and method 2200 may include the
ability to give lottery ticket merchants more information about
lottery players (e.g. regarding their purchase behaviors), and the
ability to target specific lottery players with customized targeted
data. Such benefits could be employed, e.g., to optimize a lottery
player's in-store spending at the merchant location. Such a system
and method 2200 could also allow other entities to benefit from
lottery player information and the ability to customize targeted
data to lottery players (e.g. a lottery system associated with a
first state may wish to offer a discount to a lottery ticket
purchaser who has just arrived from a second state). Note that
regardless of whether such a system and method 2200 is employed,
other entities beyond the VAN (e.g. merchant, lottery system) could
still receive and/or benefit from information processed by the
gaming provider system. For example, the VAN may provide merchants
with lottery player purchase information to incentivize merchant
participation.
[0319] FIG. 23 illustrates a system and method for enabling a
lottery player to exchange the denominated monetary value of a
prize for a substitute monetary instrument of equal or greater
value.
[0320] Within a value added network (VAN), patterns of event data
may be identified to form customer profile data. The customer
profile data may comprise metadata describing a lottery player
associated with lottery game and metadata describing a customer
associated with a loyalty program. This metadata may include
external data 2301 and/or internal data 2303. The customer data may
be processed 2305 to form dynamic data 2307 (e.g., at the time of
presenting the exchange data). After a lottery draw occurs, a
lottery game entry associated with the customer playing the lottery
may win a low-tier prize in a lottery drawing. Using the dynamic
data 2307, customized exchange data 2315 (e.g. exchange offer) to
exchange the denominated monetary value of a lottery prize 2313 for
a monetary instrument of equal or greater value may be generated
based on a data modeling process 2309 and exchange data database
2311. This may involve cross-referencing an exchange data database
and suggesting one or more exchange data consistent with the
customer profile data (e.g., based on other players with similar
profile data selecting or being presented with particular exchange
data). The exchange data database may contain exchange data and
their associated lottery prizes. The exchange data database may be
populated by a VAN, merchant, and/or lottery system (e.g., and may
be populated based on historical or predicted player preferences).
The player 2317 may accept or decline the exchange data 2315. If a
player 2317 accepts the exchange data 2315, a monetary instrument
may be provided to the player at the agreed upon value and the
ownership of the prize 2313 is transferred to the data instrument
offeror 2319 of the substitute monetary instrument. Such a system
and method 2300 may be employed to augment the winnings for a
player 2317 while also benefiting the data instrument offeror 2319.
For example, a merchant may offer a gift card of higher value to a
prize-winning player 2317 in order to increase the player's 2317
loyalty to that merchant.
[0321] FIG. 24 illustrates a system and method for event driven
rule-based messaging for device-enabled lottery gameplay.
[0322] A flexible, event driven and conditional rule-based
messaging system (e.g., an intelligent messaging system) may be
implemented for use in lottery applications. A rule mechanism may
be implemented having a "When-If-Then" event-driven, conditional,
action-invoking approach that permits definition of a repertoire of
events considered to be significant events upon which to trigger
actions specific rule-based messages. Each particular event may be
associated with a specific mail message and/or rules to promote
context relevant messaging. It is possible that only relevant
rules, i.e. those associated with a satisfied event, need to be
further processed. A graphical user interface to a structured rule
editor may facilitate synthesis of rules by a lottery application
via a rule engine 2407. The rule engine 2407 may be substantially
transparent. A modular architecture for the structured rule editors
could allow an extensible and portable facility invoking selected
rule scripting language to implement various functions in the
context of various lottery game play environments. Such a
rule-based messaging system and method 2400 for lottery gameplay
may transmit messages originating from a rule engine 2407 and
messaging system 2405 to a lottery card holder 2401 via a value
added network 2403. The rule engine 2407 may be informed in part by
a persona. A persona may be data associated with a user and/or a
user device (e.g. lottery game play purchase activity, game play
wins, game play losses, game play prize amounts, location
information, jurisdiction information, and/or user-defined
preferences relating to rule-based messaging system interaction).
Rules may be based on a user profile (e.g. prior user behavior or
disclosed user preferences and/or characteristics), a user
location, and/or other technical logic. For example, a lottery card
holder 2401 may be notified of new lottery gameplay data
instruments when it is determined that the lottery card holder's
2401 location has changed from a first state to a second state. A
messaging system may be used to relay information from a rule
engine 2407 to the lottery card holder 2401. Such messages may be
transmitted over a cellular network, or via the Internet. The rule
engine may be a part of and/or population by a VAN, lottery system,
and/or merchant.
[0323] FIG. 25 illustrates a system and method for entering lottery
games in more than one lottery system jurisdiction via a single
Internet-enabled device.
[0324] Lottery game play may be enabled by a point-of-sale solution
(POS) 2501, lottery account (account), transaction authorization
and/or processing network (TPN) 2503, value added network (VAN)
2511, and Internet-enabled device (device) 2509. Lottery game play
may be further enabled by a lottery account issuer 2505 and one or
more lottery game processors 2507. A lottery player may purchase a
lottery game entry using an account at a POS 2501 in one
jurisdiction. The game entry purchase is processed via an account,
TPN 2503, VAN 2511 and a device 2509. A lottery account may be
associated with a lottery card, lottery player, lottery player
device 2509, none of these, or some combination of the previously
listed. A lottery account may be utilized to verify lottery game
compliance, lottery game-associated transaction, and/or lottery
player identification. The account holder enters the lottery game
via a device 2509. The device 2509 receives a digital lottery
ticket following game entry. The lottery player then purchases a
lottery game entry in a separate lottery jurisdiction using the
same account. Following the purchase, the cardholder may receive an
additional digital ticket for the new lottery jurisdiction on the
device 2509. The process can repeat indefinitely, allowing the
player to enter in one or more lottery games in two or more lottery
jurisdictions without limitation. Such a system and method 2500 may
be beneficial by automating lottery gameplay compliance regardless
or user location and/or lottery jurisdiction. Additionally, such a
system and method 2500 may allow gameplay of multiple lottery games
from different jurisdictions on a single player device and/or
within one or more locations and/or jurisdictions. Note that a
lottery jurisdiction may be associated with a state, may be
associated with a region within a state, or may not be associated
with either. The TPN may facilitate, authorize, and/or record
transactions at at least one POS, and may further relay information
to/from a lottery account issuer 2505. A lottery account issuer may
be part of a VAN 2511 or it may not be. A lottery account issuer
may generate and distribute lottery account information, or it may
distribute lottery account information received from another entity
(e.g. VAN 2511 and/or lottery game processors 2507). Lottery game
processors 2507 may be government- (e.g. state-) run, or they may
be authorized by a governmental entity. Further, lottery game
processors may generate and/or distribute information associated
with lottery gameplay (e.g. game play price, game play prize(s),
game play information, game play eligibility based on location
and/or jurisdictional information).
[0325] FIG. 26 illustrates a system and method for purchasing
lottery game entries in more than one lottery system
jurisdiction.
[0326] Lottery game play may be enabled by a point-of-sale solution
(POS) 2601, lottery account (account), transaction authorization
and/or processing network (TPN) 2603, value added network (VAN)
2611, and Internet-enabled device (device) 2609. Lottery game play
may be further enabled by a lottery account issuer 2605 and lottery
game processors 2607. A lottery player may purchases a lottery game
entry using a lottery account at a POS 2601. The lottery game
purchase is processed via a lottery account, TPN 2603, VAN 2611 and
a device 2609. The lottery account holder may enter the lottery
game via the device 2609. The device 2609 may receive a digital
lottery ticket on the device 2609 following game entry. The lottery
player may purchase a subsequent lottery game entry at a POS 2601,
and the process repeats resulting in two or more lottery game
entries for an account (e.g., associated with at least one of
device identification information, phone number, user
identification information, etc.) and two or more digital lottery
tickets received on a single device 2609. Such a system and method
2600 could allow for multiple lottery games to be played on the
same device 2609, even if the lottery games originate from
different jurisdictions or are associated with different gaming
providers. Additionally, prizes from different game plays (e.g.,
associated with different gaming providers and/or jurisdictions, or
associated with different game types) could be aggregated into a
single prize, which may be more convenient for the lottery player
and/or any other entity in the lottery gameplay system.
Additionally lottery game play activity from multiple different
lottery games could be summarized in one location (e.g. visible on
virtual page of a user device).
[0327] FIG. 27 illustrates a system and method for location-aware
lottery gameplay.
[0328] Lottery game play may be enabled by a point-of-sale solution
(POS) 2701, lottery account (account), transaction authorization
and/or processing network (TPN) 2703, value added network (VAN)
2709 and Internet-enabled device (device) 2705. A lottery player
may purchase a lottery game entry using a lottery account at a POS
2701. The lottery game purchase is processed via a lottery account,
TPN 2703, VAN 2709 and a device 2705. The VAN 2709 may receive
and/or record the POS 2701 location information. The lottery
account holder may request entry into the lottery game via the
device 2705. The device 2705 may transmit the lottery account
holder's location to the VAN 2709. The VAN 2709 may cross-reference
and/or compare the location of the POS 2701 location (e.g., at the
time of purchase) and the location of the lottery account holder's
device 2705 at the time of request to confirm at least partially
matching jurisdictions. Game entry may be conditionally allowed if
jurisdictions match (or at least partially match). Game entry may
be conditionally disallowed if jurisdictions do not match (or do
not at least partially match). Such a system and method 2700 may
utilize GPS signals, cellular tower localization, IP address, user
input, or other information to determine device 2705 and/or POS
2701 location and/or jurisdiction.
[0329] FIG. 28 illustrates a system diagram of a gaming provider
system 2800. Some embodiments may use all the elements shown in the
FIG. 2800, while some may not. Additionally, some embodiments may
employ additional elements not shown in the FIG. 2800, while others
may not. The elements of such a gaming provider system 2800 have
previously been described. Such a system may comprise a user 2801,
POS 2803, TPN 2805, VAN 2807, lottery system 2809, user device
2811, lottery card, 2813, card issuer 2815, messaging system 2817,
and/or transaction facilitation system 2819. The transaction
facilitation system 2819 may facilitate financial transactions,
such as post or pre-gaming financial transactions.
[0330] In some embodiments, motion and/or orientation sensors (e.g.
accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer) associated with the lottery
player device may be utilized to influence lottery registration,
lottery card issuance, lottery gameplay, lottery prize, lottery
prize payment mechanism, customized targeted data, exchange data,
customer data, fraud detection, and/or user identification. For
example, a unique motion associated with a user may be required to
be performed before a purchase is allowed or a prize is claimed.
Additionally, some games may be played in part or in whole by
physical device motions (e.g. shake, tilt).
[0331] FIG. 29 illustrates a system diagram of a gaming provider
system. Some embodiments may use all the elements shown in the FIG.
2900, while some may not. Additionally, some embodiments may employ
additional elements not shown in the FIG. 2900, while others may
not. Any element may communicate with any other element via
inter-communication circuitry 2911, 2931, 2951, 2971 and
connections between functional blocks 2910, 2930, 2950, 2970. The
various elements may be present in any local or remote computing
device described in this disclosure, such as any of the boxes
illustrated in any of the preceding figures. In some embodiments,
one or more of the elements may be specialize hardware or software
elements for specifically performing an operation associated with a
gaming transaction.
[0332] A processing unit 2930 may contain an event triggered unit
2932, for example to implement rule-based messaging. Further, the
processing unit 2930 may contain a game processing unit 2933, for
example to send and receive gameplay information between a lottery
player device and lottery system. Further, the processing unit 2930
may contain a database access unit 2934, for example to efficiently
store and access gaming provider system information via a database
storage system 2914. This information may include user profile
data, transaction histories, lottery account numbers, and/or
numbers associated with lottery cards. The processing unit 2930 may
further comprise a location determination unit 2935, for example to
determine lottery player device or point of sale jurisdiction or to
determine appropriate targeted data or exchange data. The
processing unit 2930 may further comprise a jurisdiction
determination unit 2936, for example to determine lottery
jurisdiction from location information. Location information
(and/or associated jurisdiction information) may be used to
authorize lottery game play purchase and/or determine lottery game
play exchange data. The processing unit 2930 may further comprise a
code generation unit 2938, for example to appropriately generate
lottery card codes based on previously issued codes and in order to
avoid fraud issues. A code management unit 2939 may further monitor
issued, expired, and or pending codes, as well as inform the code
generation unit 2938 of preferable codes to use in the future. A
transaction watchdog unit 2940 may monitor transactions and/or
lottery card activations associated with the gaming provider system
2900 in order to detect malfunctioning or fraudulent activity. A
transaction authorization unit 2941 may receive and either
authorize or reject transactions associated with the gaming
provider system 2900 depending on, e.g., jurisdiction information,
lottery system rules, gaming provider system 2900 rules, and/or
transaction facilitation system information. A transfer unit 2942
may direct payments from the appropriate sender to the appropriate
receiver, e.g. from a lottery system to a transaction facilitation
system or a transaction account associated with a lottery player. A
reporting unit 2943 may record, process, and/or report transfers
that have occurred via the transfer unit 2942 (including financial
transfers). A resource allocation unit 2937 may monitor resource
usage of the processing unit 2930 and appropriately allocate
resources, e.g. depending on resource needs, constraints, and/or
processing unit 2930 rules.
[0333] A memory unit 2910 may be used to store information
associated with the gaming provider system 2900, potentially
utilizing a cache storage unit 2913, a database storage system
2914, a secure storage unit 2915, and/or a memory backup unit 2916.
Further, a memory management unit 2912 may be utilized to monitor
memory resource usage and/or appropriately direct send and/or
receive requests from the processing unit 2930. A communications
unit 2950 may be employed to facilitate communications between the
gaming provider system 2900 and external entities, e.g. a lottery
system, transaction facilitation system, messaging system,
transaction processing network, card issuer, and/or lottery player
device. The communications unit 2950 may employ a modem unit 2952,
encryption/decryption unit 2953, network protocol unit 2954,
network router 2955, network switch 2956, firewall 2957, antenna
2958, and/or packet queuing system 2959. The packet queuing system
2959 may prepare packets associated with lottery system,
transaction facilitation system, messaging system, and/or
communications network metadata for transmittal or reception. A
input/output unit 2970 may be employed to facilitate human
interaction with the lottery provider system 2900. A graphics
processing unit 2972 and/or hardware peripheral drivers 2973 (e.g.,
one or more specialized drivers) may be utilized.
[0334] FIG. 30 shows an unscratched gaming card (i.e., a gaming
card in a first state), according to some embodiments. The gaming
card may also be referred to as a gaming apparatus, a gaming
instrument, a gaming device, a user apparatus, a user instrument, a
user device, a game card, a gaming ticket, a lottery card, a
non-lottery gaming card, etc. The gaming card may be a one-time
use/play/draw card or multiple-time use/play/draw card. The gaming
card may be used to play one or more games of the same type or of
different types (e.g., two different lottery game types associated
with different entities). The structure or shape of the card may be
similar to that of a gift card. The number of plays 3020 may be
indicated in the top left hand corner of the card. The number of
plays may correspond with the number of rows of numbers, e.g., four
plays refer to four rows of numbers. The numbers may be covered and
not visible and may become visible in response to user interaction
with one or more portions of the card (e.g., scratching off the
surface of the card, mechanical contact-based interaction with the
surface of the card, or any other interaction including electronic
interactions such as contactless transactions between a device or
other instrument and the card). The number 3040 could be a sequence
number or information for a card in a pack of cards. The numbers
associated with all the plays on the card may be referred to as a
game board 3010. Each play may be associated with a particular draw
date or the same draw date. In some embodiments, multiple plays may
be associated with one or more draw dates. A draw date may refer to
a date on which the winning numbers associated with the game are
revealed. In some embodiments, at the time of purchasing the card,
the card may be customized for a user-specified number of plays. In
other embodiments, the card may include a pre-determined number of
plays. In such embodiments, a price associated with the card may be
indicated on the card (e.g., on the top right side). In some
embodiments, instructions 3030 for playing may be presented on the
card. In some embodiments, the card may printed at the time of
purchase. In some embodiments, the card may be pre-printed and
stacked with other gift cards in a store. In some embodiments, the
card is, additionally or alternatively to the physical card, an
electronic card that is visible on a display screen of a mobile
computing device or other computing device.
[0335] FIG. 31 shows a front side of a scratched gaming card (i.e.,
a gaming card in a second state), according to some embodiments. As
described previously, the numbers in the card may be revealed using
scratching, or one or more other contact-based or contactless
interactions. The numbers may be randomly generated numbers and
pre-printed on the card. The numbers may be within ranges
associated with a particular game. In some embodiments, the numbers
may alternatively or additionally include text or other
information. In some embodiments, the interaction also reveals a
redemption code 3150 (e.g., barcode, QR code, or other type of
readable indicia, which may be invisible or invisible). The
redemption code 3150 may also be associated with a number 3160,
which may represent identification information associated with the
card, a play, a location or store where the card is located (for
purchase) or was generated, etc.
[0336] FIG. 32 shows a back side of a gaming card (e.g., a
scratched gaming card), according to some embodiments. Any of the
codes (e.g., 3220, 3240, 3150) presented in FIGS. 31 and 32 may be
presented on any side (i.e., front or back) of the card, an/or may
be presented as fewer or more codes. The code 3240 may be an
identification code for the card. For example, the code 3240 may be
scanned at the time of purchase. This code 3240 and any other code
described herein may refer to a barcode, QR code, or other type of
readable indicia, which may be invisible or invisible. At any time,
the user (e.g., the holder, possessor, purchaser, customer, or
giftee) may verify or confirm the draw date associated with the
card (or any one or all plays associated with the card) by visiting
a website, texting a code (e.g., "draw") to a particular number, or
calling a particular number. In some embodiments, the back of the
card includes information associated with redemption of prizes
(e.g., instructions 3260) and an area 3210 for a user to input user
information. The back of the card may also include a number 3230 or
other information indicative of a serial number of the card (or
other card identification information, play information, or any
location information described herein including store or merchant
associated with the card, etc.), or a pack (i.e., pack of cards)
associated with the card. In some embodiments, the number 3230 may
comprise activation information for activating the card. In some
embodiments, the back of the card may also include a code 3220 for
activating the card. The activation procedure is described in
further detail below. While three codes are presented in FIGS. 31
and 32, fewer (e.g., one code) or more codes may perform the
functions of the three codes. In some embodiments, the instructions
3260 include prize redemption instructions, how to associate the
plays with upcoming draws, etc. For example, after the card is
purchased, play A (i.e., the numbers associated with play A) is
entered into the next draw (e.g., June 15) associated with the
game. Plays B, C, and D may also be entered into the next draw
associated with the game. Alternatively, play B may be reserved for
a future draw (e.g., the next contiguously scheduled draw on June
18 after the next draw on June 15). Play B may not be entered into
that future draw until after the next draw. Alternatively, play B
may be directly entered into that future draw.
[0337] In some embodiments, code 3240 is scanned at the time of
purchase. Code 3220 may also be scanned at the time of purchase,
e.g., before, after, or simultaneously with code 3240. The scanning
may be performed at or by a retail terminal (e.g. comprising a
scanner), which may be a mobile computing device or a non-mobile
computing device, which may be located at an store or entity
described herein. In some embodiments, scanning may refer to any
form of interaction between the card and the retail terminal. For
example, the interaction may be any contact-based or contactless
interaction. Code 3150 (e.g., for redeeming a prize or checking
whether the play or numbers are winning numbers for a draw) may be
scanned (or otherwise interacted with) at a gaming terminal such as
a lottery terminal. Code 3150 may be covered at the time of
purchase such that it is not visible to an observer, though in
other embodiments code 3150 is not covered at the time of purchase.
Each of the codes described herein may be scanned at the same or
different terminals, which may even be a user's mobile phone.
[0338] FIG. 33 shows a gaming network environment, in accordance to
some embodiments. Any communication described herein with respect
to this or any other environment may be accomplished using any
wired or wireless mechanisms such as short-range or long-range
wireless mechanisms, including any described in this disclosure.
While the operations are described as being performed by three
computing systems, they could alternatively be performed by fewer
or more computing systems. The first computing system 3320, the
second computing system 3330, and/or the third computing system
3350, and/or the POS terminal 3310 may include or comprise any
elements or features that are described as being present in at
least one of any other device, system, apparatus, instrument, etc.,
of this disclosure, and/or may perform any operations or
transactions described as being performed by at least one of any
other device, system, apparatus, instrument, etc., of this
disclosure. The communications described and indicated in FIG. 33
could be either one-way or two-way communications. In some
embodiments, the terms "operation" and "transaction" may be used
interchangeably.
[0339] Any gaming card or lottery card (e.g., the card of FIG. 30)
described herein may be scanned or otherwise caused to be
interacted with at a point-of-sale (POS) terminal 3310. The POS
terminal 3310 may be located in a retail store, and may be a mobile
or non-mobile computing device. In some embodiments, the mobile
computing device may be a mobile phone. The various computing
systems may be associated with one or more entities. In some
embodiments, when a card is scanned at the POS terminal 3310 (e.g.,
the code 3220 and/or the code 3240 is scanned), the POS terminal
3310 sends a card activation request to the first computing system
3320. The card activation request may be associated with one play,
all plays, or a selective number of plays associated with the card.
The activation request may include a serial number or other
identification information associated with the scanned card.
Additionally, the activation request may include POS information,
e.g., at least one of POS terminal identification information,
store or merchant information (e.g., identification information)
associated with the POS terminal, location information associated
with the POS terminal, or partial portions thereof, etc. In some
embodiments, any location or location information may additionally
or alternatively include identification information, and vice
versa. Any location information described herein may include
location indicators, identifiers, etc. In some embodiments, the
first computing system 3320 forwards the activation request to the
second computing system 3330. In other embodiments, the first
computing system 3320 processes or performs operations on the
activation request, and then sends the processed activation request
to the second computing system 3330. In some embodiments, functions
associated with one or more computing systems may be performed by
fewer or more computing systems. In some embodiments, the
activation request comprises information in the code 3220 (and/or
in the information 3230). The information in or represented by the
code 3220 (and/or in or represented by the information 3230) may
comprise information described as being comprised in or transmitted
in an activation request.
[0340] In some embodiments, the second computing system 3330
includes or communicates with a database 3340. The database 3340
comprises plays (i.e., randomly generated number sets) associated
with identification information of cards. In some embodiments, card
identification information may refer to ticket (e.g., lottery
ticket) identification information associated with one or more game
plays (e.g., associated with one or more games). Therefore,
communication with the database 3340 reveals a randomly generated
number set (or more than one set) associated with card
identification information received at the second computing system
3330, either from the first computing system 3320 or received
directly from the POS terminal 3310.
[0341] In some embodiments, the second computing system 3330
receives the card identification information and the POS
information (e.g., in the activation request) and compares the
received information with information stored (e.g., location and/or
identification information associated with the POS terminal,
merchant, store and/or card identification information, or partial
portions thereof) in the database 3340 to determine correspondence
(e.g., partial or full correspondence) or a match (e.g., full
correspondence). For example, the second computing system 3330
determines whether the POS information received in the activation
request at least partially corresponds (or matches) with the POS
information, associated with the card identification information,
stored in the database 3340. As a further example, the second
computing system 3330 determines, based on the information in the
activation request and based on accessing the information stored in
the database 3340, one or more game plays listed on the card.
Therefore, the second computing system 3330 uses the received card
identification information to find matching or corresponding card
identification information in the database 3340, and then determine
one or more plays associated with that card identification
information.
[0342] If a match is found, by the second computing system 3330,
for the card identification information and/or the POS information,
the second computing system 3330 sends a game wager request or a
game-playing request to the third computing system 3350, which may
be a gaming system associated with one or more games. The game
wager request includes one or more game plays (or randomly
generated number sets) associated with the card identification
information. The game wager request may also include the card
identification information, or identification information
associated with or generated based on the card identification
information.
[0343] In some embodiments, a user of the card may scan the card or
allow the card to be scanned at a terminal 3360 (e.g., a gaming
lottery terminal comprising a scanner) following a draw time. If
the user is a winner, the terminal may send a redemption request
from the terminal 3360 to the third computing system 3350, either
directly or via at least one of the first computing system 3320
and/or the second computing system 3330. The third computing system
3350 may access a database or file (e.g., the same database as or
different from database 3340) to compare the card identification
information included in the redemption request with winning card
identification information included in the file (e.g., the winner's
file). If a match is found, the third computing system 3350 sends
the prize amount to the terminal 3360 or a different terminal
(e.g., associated with a user of the card) for initiating or
executing a payment process, or directly to a previously registered
account associated with the card identification information.
[0344] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the second computing
system 3330 may send winning card identification information to the
third computing system 3350, wherein the second computing system
3330 uses a process similar to that used by the third computing
system 3350 to determine winning card identification
information.
[0345] The third computing system 3350 also sends confirmation of
payment to the second computing system 3330, and the second
computing system accordingly updates a record associated with the
card identification information in the database 3340. The second
computing system 3330 may send a confirmation of the update to the
third computing system 3350.
[0346] FIG. 34 is a perspective view of a lottery card, in
accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, the lottery
card may be used for other games, and therefore may be a gaming
card such as a non-lottery gaming card. FIG. 34 shows a game board
3410 and indicators associated with or covering numbers such that
the numbers are not visible to an observer. One of the indicators
is indicator 3420. In other embodiments, the circular indicators
may be replaced with other shapes, e.g., three-sided, four-sided,
five-sided, elliptical, irregular shape, etc. The cutout 3430 may
also be replaced by other shapes, e.g., three-sided, four-sided,
five-sided, elliptical, irregular shape, etc. In some embodiments,
the cutout may be for ornamental purposes. In other embodiments,
the cutout may have utility such that it is used for placing on a
shoulder of a rack at a store such as a retail store. In some
embodiments, the indicators may be nearer or farther away from each
other compared to that shown in FIG. 34.
[0347] FIG. 35 is a front view of a lottery card, in accordance
with some embodiments. FIG. 36 is a back view of a lottery card, in
accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 37 is a side view (e.g.,
right side view) of a lottery card, in accordance with some
embodiments. FIG. 38 is another side view (e.g., left side view) of
a lottery card, in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 39 is a
top view of a lottery card, in accordance with some embodiments.
FIG. 40 is a bottom view of a lottery card, in accordance with some
embodiments. In any future design application, the dashed lines may
form no part of the claimed design. However, the dashed lines may
be converted to solid lines to form part of the claimed design.
Additional features for the lottery card may be incorporated from
FIGS. 30-32 or as described in this disclosure. In some
embodiments, the lottery card may also be referred to as a gaming
card.
[0348] In some embodiments, a game may comprise at least one of
sports betting, sports wagering, sports gambling, moneyline bets,
spread bets, total bets, over bets, under bets, proposition bets,
parlays, teasers, if bets, run line bets, puck line bets, goal line
bets, future wagers, head-to-head bets, totalizators, flexible-rate
bets, half bets, in-play betting, bookmaking, arbitrage betting,
parimutuel betting, and/or mutual betting, etc.
[0349] In some embodiments, sports betting may be based on at least
one of handicaps, spreads, thresholds, time limits, time periods,
underdogs, favorites, fractional points, decimal points, point
differences, odds, fractional odds, decimal odds, moneyline odds,
probabilities, crowd predictions, predictions, ticket sales, event
attendance, social media data (and/or sentiment analysis thereof),
media content "likes," social media followers, historical outcomes,
event locations, betting pools, and/or overtime, etc.
[0350] In some embodiments, sports may comprise at least one of
human and/or non-human (e.g. animal, robot, artificial
intelligence) participants. In some embodiments, sports may include
e-sports, including sports associated with video games, etc.
[0351] In some embodiments, sports may comprise non-athletic events
such as at least one of reality shows, talent contests, elections,
stock-picking, price trends, simulated sports, video games, racing
(e.g. with vehicles or drones), popularity contests, creativity
contests, scavenger hunts, card games, board games, etc.
[0352] Some embodiments may comprise and/or use at least one of a
blockchain, list of linked blocks, and/or public ledger network,
etc. A blockchain may comprise cryptographic blocks comprising at
least one of a hash, timestamp, and/or transaction data, and other
game information, etc. A ledger of a blockchain may be at least one
of distributed, decentralized, un-editable, and/or publicly
viewable. In some embodiments, a ledger may be centralized. In some
embodiments, a blockchain may be peer-to-peer.
[0353] A blockchain may or be used to at least one of record
events, transactions, in-game currencies, real-world currencies,
bets, prices, odds, voting, game information, game data, user
information, participant identities, historical information, other
game information, and/or any other information described herein,
etc. Recorded information may be stored in blocks, metadata, and/or
ledger data.
[0354] Blocks may comprise batches, and/or batches may comprise
blocks. Blocks may be hashed and/or encoded in a hash tree (e.g.
Merkle tree). Hashes may be cryptographic. A blockchain may allow
for at least one of a single chain, multiple chains, temporary
forks, and/or permanent forks, etc.
[0355] Individuals and/or machines may be compensated in at least
one of virtual currency, in-game currency, and/or real-world
currency for performing computation (e.g. in serial and/or in
parallel) on cryptographic hashes, etc.
[0356] In some embodiments, a game may comprise solving a
cryptographic hash. In some embodiments, block time may be
configurable. In some embodiments, block time may depend on the
game related to the blockchain. Some embodiments may involve hard
forks. Blockchains may or may not require permissions. Blockchain
operation may be geo-fenced and/or limited geographically.
[0357] In some embodiments, at least one of a block, blockchain,
and/or blockchain network may initiate at least one of a game,
create a game session, interact with a game, respond to a game,
record a game action, serve as a "bookie", serve as a middleman,
serve as an escrow, record a game-related transaction, perform any
other game-related operation or transaction described herein,
and/or perform any other operation or transaction using any type of
information described herein (i.e., in this disclosure), etc.
[0358] In some embodiments, any feature described in any part of
this disclosure may be used in combination with any other feature
described in any other part of this disclosure. A feature may refer
to a system, a method, an element, an object, etc. In some
embodiments, any feature described herein may be incorporated into
a ride-sharing mobile application such that a passenger or
computing device in the motor vehicle or the user's mobile phone
may execute or initiate any operations described herein before,
after, or during a ride associated with the ride-sharing mobile
application.
[0359] In some embodiments, a method is provided for processing
information associated with, or enabling initiation or conduction
of, game-playing transactions, the method comprising: receiving,
from a user device, or sending, to the user device, information
associated with a game-playing transaction between a mobile device
and one or more game-playing apparatuses configured for operations
associated with game-playing transaction, wherein the game-playing
transaction is associated with a game, wherein the game is
associated with or comprises game information; determining, using
one or more computing device processors, identification information
or location information associated with the user device or the one
or more game-playing apparatuses; determining, using the one or
more computing device processors, the user device is an approved
user device or the one or more game-playing apparatuses are
approved one or more game-playing apparatuses, respectively, the
user device or the one or more game-playing apparatuses being
located in an approved location associated with the game;
processing the information, or enabling initiation or conduction of
the game-playing transaction, based on at least one of:
determining, using the one or more computing device processors, the
user device or the one or more game-playing apparatuses is the
approved user device or the approved one or more game-playing
apparatuses, respectively, based on cross-referencing second
information or second identification information, and determining,
using the one or more computing device processors, the
identification information or the location information is at least
partially consistent with or mappable to the second information or
the second identification information, or determining, using the
one or more computing device processors, a period of validity
associated with the game-playing transaction or the game
information has not expired, wherein the information associated
with the game-playing transaction is received or sent on a first
communication interface, and wherein the game-playing transaction
is conducted or will be conducted on a second communication
interface.
[0360] In some embodiments, the user device or the one or more
game-playing apparatuses comprises or is associated with,
integrated with, or comprised in at least one of a pump, an ATM, a
servicing station, a retail apparatus, an entity, a local computing
apparatus, or a remote computing apparatus.
[0361] In some embodiments, the user device comprises a retail
apparatus configured for processing the information associated with
the game-playing transaction.
[0362] In some embodiments, the one or more game-playing
apparatuses comprises a remote server configured for the operations
associated with the game-playing transaction.
[0363] In some embodiments, the mobile device comprises a mobile
phone configured for second operations associated with the
game-playing transaction.
[0364] In some embodiments, the user device comprises one or more
local or remote game-playing apparatuses configured for second
operations associated with the game-playing transaction.
[0365] In some embodiments, the user device comprises a
point-of-sale terminal configured for enabling initiation or
conduction of the game-playing transactions.
[0366] In some embodiments, the one or more game-playing
apparatuses comprises one or more local or remote game-playing
apparatuses.
[0367] In some embodiments, determining, using the one or more
computing device processors, the user device or the one or more
game-playing apparatuses is the approved user device or the
approved one or more game-playing apparatuses, respectively, may be
based on cross-referencing the second information or the second
identification information, and determining, using the one or more
computing device processors, the identification information is at
least partially consistent with or mappable to the second
information or the second identification information, or
determining, using the one or more computing device processors, the
period of validity associated with the game-playing transaction has
not expired, comprises: determining, using the one or more
computing device processors, the user device or the one or more
game-playing apparatuses is the approved user device or the
approved one or more game-playing apparatuses, respectively, based
on cross-referencing the second information or the second
identification information, and determining, using the one or more
computing device processors, the identification information is at
least partially consistent with or mappable to the second
information or the second identification information.
[0368] In some embodiments, determining, using the one or more
computing device processors, the user device or the one or more
game-playing apparatuses is the approved user device or the
approved one or more game-playing apparatuses, respectively, based
on cross-referencing the second information or the second
identification information, and determining, using the one or more
computing device processors, the identification information is at
least partially consistent with or mappable to the second
information or the second identification information, or
determining, using the one or more computing device processors, the
period of validity associated with the game-playing transaction has
not expired, comprises: determining, using the one or more
computing device processors, the period of validity associated with
conducting the game-playing transaction has not expired.
[0369] In some embodiments, the game-playing transaction comprises
at least one of a gaming transaction, a game initiation
transaction, a game completing transaction, a pre-game transaction,
a post-game transaction, an in-game transaction, a game-related
transaction, a location determining transaction, an identification
transaction, an information processing transaction, a user
identification transaction, a user device identifying transaction,
a mobile device identifying transaction, a game-playing
apparatus-related transaction, or a game-playing apparatus
identifying transaction.
[0370] In some embodiments, the receiving or sending the
information is executed before the game-playing transaction.
[0371] In some embodiments, the receiving or sending the
information is executed after the game-playing transaction.
[0372] In some embodiments, the receiving or sending the
information is executed as a part of the game-playing
transaction.
[0373] In some embodiments, the one or more computing device
processors are comprised in at least one of the user device, the
one or more game-playing apparatuses, the mobile device, one or
more local computing apparatuses, or one or more remote computing
apparatuses.
[0374] In some embodiments, the one or more computing device
processors are comprised in the one or more game-playing
apparatuses.
[0375] In some embodiments, the first communication interface is
located between the user device and the one or more game-playing
apparatuses, and the second communication interface is located
between the mobile device and the one or more game-playing
apparatuses.
[0376] In some embodiments, the information comprises the
identification information.
[0377] In some embodiments, the identification information
associated with the user device or the one or more game-playing
apparatuses comprises or is associated with or comprised in at
least one of user device identification information, game-playing
apparatus identification information, merchant information,
merchant store information, or second location information.
[0378] In some embodiments, the game-playing transaction comprises
sending third information from the mobile device to the one or more
game-playing apparatuses.
[0379] In some embodiments, the first communication interface or
the second communication interface comprises at least one of a
Bluetooth-based interface, a near-field communication (NFC)
interface, a code-based interface, a Wi-Fi interface, a cellular
interface, or a wired interface.
[0380] In some embodiments, the one or more game-playing
apparatuses comprise a gaming facilitator, wherein the gaming
facilitator comprises a firewall, logging security, core logic, and
transaction logic.
[0381] In some embodiments, the one or more game-playing
apparatuses comprise a communications exchange server.
[0382] In some embodiments, determining, using the one or more
computing device processors, the location is at least partially
consistent with or mappable to the second information or the
identification information comprises determining, using the one or
more computing device processors, the location matches the second
information or the identification information.
[0383] Some embodiments further comprise modifying the mobile
device, the user device, or the one or more game-playing
apparatuses based on determining the user device is the approved
user device or the one or more game-playing apparatuses are the
approved one or more game-playing apparatuses, respectively.
[0384] In some embodiments, processing the game-playing
transaction, or enabling initiation or conduction of the
game-playing transaction, is based on validating, using the one or
more computing device processors, an age of a user associated with
the user device, the one or more game-playing apparatuses, or the
mobile device.
[0385] In some embodiments, the game information is comprised in
the information.
[0386] In some embodiments, the information is comprised in the
game information.
[0387] In some embodiments, the game-playing transaction comprises
a gaming operation.
[0388] In some embodiments, the game-playing transaction comprises
a game-related operation.
[0389] In some embodiments, the user device comprises a local
computing apparatus and a remote computing apparatus.
[0390] In some embodiments, the one or more game-playing
apparatuses comprises a local computing apparatus and a remote
computing apparatus.
[0391] In some embodiments, the game comprises a lottery game.
[0392] In some embodiments, the game comprises a non-lottery
game.
[0393] In some embodiments, the one or more computing device
processor comprises one or more software-customized processors
configured for the operations associated with the game-playing
transaction.
[0394] Some embodiments may provide a network system comprising one
or more game-playing apparatuses for processing, or enabling
initiation or conduction of, game-playing transactions, the one or
more game-playing apparatuses comprising one or more
software-customized processors configured for: receiving, from a
user device, or sending, to the user device, information associated
with a game-playing transaction between a mobile device and the one
or more game-playing apparatuses, wherein the game-playing
transaction is associated with a game, wherein the game is
associated with or comprises game information; determining
identification information or location information associated with
the user device or the one or more game-playing apparatuses;
determining the user device is an approved user device or the one
or more game-playing apparatuses are approved one or more
game-playing apparatuses, respectively, the user device or the one
or more game-playing apparatuses being located in an approved
location associated with the game; processing the information, or
enabling initiation or conduction of the game-playing transaction,
based on at least one of: determining the user device or the one or
more game-playing apparatuses is the approved user device or the
approved one or more game-playing apparatuses, respectively, based
on cross-referencing second information or second identification
information, and determining, using the one or more computing
device processors, the identification information or the location
information is at least partially consistent with or mappable to
the second information or the second identification information,
wherein the information associated with the game-playing
transaction is received or sent on a first communication interface,
and wherein the game-playing transaction is conducted or will be
conducted on a second communication interface.
[0395] In some embodiments involving the network system, the user
device or the one or more game-playing apparatuses comprises or is
associated with, integrated with, or comprised in at least one of a
pump, an ATM, a servicing station, a retail apparatus, an entity, a
local computing apparatus, or a remote computing apparatus.
[0396] In some embodiments involving the network system, the user
device comprises a retail apparatus configured for processing the
information associated with the game-playing transaction.
[0397] In some embodiments involving the network system, the user
device comprises a retail terminal configured for enabling
initiation or conduction of the game-playing transaction.
[0398] In some embodiments involving the network system, the one or
more game-playing apparatuses comprises one or more remote servers
configured for operations associated with the game-playing
transaction.
[0399] In some embodiments involving the network system, the mobile
device comprises a mobile phone configured for operations
associated with the game-playing transaction.
[0400] In some embodiments involving the network system, the game
comprises a lottery game.
[0401] In some embodiments involving the network system, the game
comprises a non-lottery game.
[0402] In some embodiments involving the network system, the one or
more software-customized processors are specifically configured for
processing, or enabling initiation or conduction of, the
game-playing transaction.
[0403] In some embodiments involving the network system, the
game-playing transaction comprises at least one of a gaming
transaction, a game initiation transaction, a game completing
transaction, a pre-game transaction, a post-game transaction, an
in-game transaction, a game-related transaction, a location
determining transaction, an identification transaction, an
information processing transaction, a user identification
transaction, a user device identifying transaction, a mobile device
identifying transaction, a game-playing apparatus-related
transaction, or a game-playing apparatus identifying
transaction.
[0404] In some embodiments involving the network system, the first
communication interface is located between the user device and the
one or more game-playing apparatuses, and the second communication
interface is located between the mobile device and the one or more
game-playing apparatuses.
[0405] In some embodiments involving the network system, the
identification information associated with the user device or the
one or more game-playing apparatuses comprises or is associated
with or comprised in at least one of user device identification
information, game-playing apparatus identification information,
merchant information, merchant store information, or second
location information.
[0406] In some embodiments involving the network system, the first
communication interface or the second communication interface
comprises at least one of a Bluetooth-based interface, a near-field
communication (NFC) interface, a code-based interface, a Wi-Fi
interface, a cellular interface, or a wired interface.
[0407] In some embodiments involving the network system, the
receiving or sending the information is executed before the
game-playing transaction.
[0408] In some embodiments involving the network system, the
receiving or sending the information is executed after the
game-playing transaction.
[0409] In some embodiments involving the network system, the
receiving or sending the information is executed as a part of the
game-playing transaction.
[0410] Some embodiments may provide a method for processing
information associated with, or enabling initiation or conduction
of, game-playing transactions, the method comprising: receiving,
from a user device and at one or more game-playing apparatuses
configured for operations associated with game-playing
transactions, information associated with a game-playing
transaction, wherein the game-playing transaction is associated
with a game, wherein the game is associated with or comprises game
information, wherein the user device communicates with the one or
more game-playing apparatuses; determining, using the one or more
computing device processors, the information is at least partially
consistent with or mappable to second information, the second
information being received or accessed from a second user device
different from the user device, the second user device being
located in an approved location associated with the game, the
second user device being associated with approved identification
information or approved location information; processing the
information, or enabling initiation or conduction of the
game-playing transaction, based on at least one of: receiving or
accessing, using the one or more computing device processors, the
second information and determining, using the one or more computing
device processors, the information is at least partially consistent
with or mappable to the second information, the second information
being received or accessed from the second user device located in
the approved location associated with the game, or determining,
using the one or more computing device processors, a period of
validity associated with the game-playing transaction or the game
information has not expired, wherein the information associated
with the game-playing transaction is received on a first
communication interface, and wherein the second information is
received or accessed on a second communication interface.
[0411] In some embodiments involving the aforementioned method, the
second user device or the one or more game-playing apparatuses
comprises or is associated with, integrated with, or comprised in
at least one of a pump, an ATM, a servicing station, a retail
apparatus, an entity, a local computing apparatus, or a remote
computing apparatus.
[0412] In some embodiments involving the aforementioned method, the
second user device comprises a retail apparatus configured for at
least one of receiving, processing, or transmitting the second
information.
[0413] In some embodiments involving the aforementioned method, the
one or more game-playing apparatuses comprises a remote server
configured for the operations associated with the game-playing
transaction.
[0414] In some embodiments involving the aforementioned method, the
user device comprises a mobile telecommunication device configured
for second operations associated with the game-playing
transactions.
[0415] In some embodiments involving the aforementioned method, the
second user device comprises one or more local or remote
game-playing apparatuses configured for second operations
associated with the game-playing transactions.
[0416] In some embodiments involving the aforementioned method, the
second user device comprises a retail terminal configured for
enabling initiation or conduction of the game-playing
transaction.
[0417] In some embodiments involving the aforementioned method, the
second user device comprises a local computing terminal configured
for enabling initiation or conduction of the game-playing
transaction.
[0418] In some embodiments involving the aforementioned method, the
one or more game-playing apparatuses comprises one or more local or
remote game-playing apparatuses.
[0419] In some embodiments involving the aforementioned method,
receiving or accessing, using the one or more computing device
processors, the second information and determining, using the one
or more computing device processors, the information is at least
partially consistent with or mappable to the second information,
the second information being received or accessed from the second
user device located in the approved location associated with the
game, or determining, using the one or more computing device
processors, a period of validity associated with the game-playing
transaction or the game information has not expired, comprises:
receiving or accessing, using the one or more computing device
processors, the second information and determining, using the one
or more computing device processors, the information is at least
partially consistent with or mappable to the second information,
the second information being received or accessed from the second
user device located in the approved location associated with the
game.
[0420] In some embodiments involving the aforementioned method,
receiving or accessing, using the one or more computing device
processors, the second information and determining, using the one
or more computing device processors, the information is at least
partially consistent with or mappable to the second information,
the second information being received or accessed from the second
user device located in the approved location associated with the
game, or determining, using the one or more computing device
processors, a period of validity associated with the game-playing
transaction or the game information has not expired, comprises:
determining, using the one or more computing device processors, a
period of validity associated with the game-playing transaction or
the game information has not expired.
[0421] In some embodiments involving the aforementioned method, the
game-playing transaction comprises receiving, from the user device
and at the one or more game-playing apparatuses configured for the
operations associated with the game-playing transactions, the
information associated with the game-playing transaction.
[0422] In some embodiments involving the aforementioned method, the
game-playing transaction comprises at least one of a gaming
transaction, a game initiation transaction, a game completing
transaction, a pre-game transaction, a post-game transaction, an
in-game transaction, a game-related transaction, a location
determining transaction, an identification transaction, an
information processing transaction, a user identification
transaction, a user device identifying transaction, a game-playing
apparatus-related transaction, or a game-playing apparatus
identifying transaction.
[0423] In some embodiments involving the aforementioned method, the
receiving the information is executed before the game-playing
transaction.
[0424] In some embodiments involving the aforementioned method, the
receiving the information is executed after the game-playing
transaction.
[0425] In some embodiments involving the aforementioned method, the
receiving the information is executed as a part of the game-playing
transaction.
[0426] In some embodiments involving the aforementioned method, the
one or more computing device processors are comprised in at least
one of the user device, the one or more game-playing apparatuses,
the second user device, one or more local computing apparatuses, or
one or more remote computing apparatuses.
[0427] In some embodiments involving the aforementioned method, the
one or more computing device processors are customized for
performing specific operations associated with the game-playing
transactions.
[0428] In some embodiments involving the aforementioned method, the
one or more computing device processors are comprised in the one or
more game-playing apparatuses.
[0429] In some embodiments involving the aforementioned method, the
first communication interface is located between the user device
and the one or more game-playing apparatuses, and the second
communication interface is located between the second user device
and the one or more game-playing apparatuses.
[0430] In some embodiments involving the aforementioned method, the
information or the second information comprises identification
information.
[0431] In some embodiments involving the aforementioned method, the
second user device is determined to be in the approved location
based on at least one of user device identification information,
game-playing apparatus identification information, merchant
information, merchant store information, or second location
information.
[0432] In some embodiments involving the aforementioned method, the
game-playing transaction comprises sending third information from
the user device to the one or more game-playing apparatuses.
[0433] In some embodiments involving the aforementioned method, the
first communication interface or the second communication interface
comprises at least one of a Bluetooth-based interface, a near-field
communication (NFC) interface, a code-based interface, a Wi-Fi
interface, a cellular interface, a wireless interface, or a wired
interface.
[0434] Some embodiments involving the aforementioned method further
comprise modifying the second user device based on determining the
second user device is the approved user device.
[0435] In some embodiments involving the aforementioned method,
processing the game-playing transaction, or enabling initiation or
conduction of the game-playing transaction, is based on validating,
using the one or more computing device processors, an age of a user
associated with the user device, the one or more game-playing
apparatuses, or the second user device.
[0436] In some embodiments involving the aforementioned method, the
game information is comprised in at least one of the information or
the second information.
[0437] In some embodiments involving the aforementioned method, at
least one of the information or the second information is comprised
in the game information.
[0438] In some embodiments involving the aforementioned method, the
game-playing transaction comprises a gaming operation.
[0439] In some embodiments involving the aforementioned method, the
game-playing transaction comprises a game-related operation.
[0440] In some embodiments involving the aforementioned method, the
second user device comprises a local computing apparatus and a
remote computing apparatus.
[0441] In some embodiments involving the aforementioned method, the
one or more game-playing apparatuses comprises a local computing
apparatus and a remote computing apparatus.
[0442] In some embodiments involving the aforementioned method, the
game comprises a lottery game.
[0443] In some embodiments involving the aforementioned method, the
game comprises a non-lottery game.
[0444] Some embodiments may comprise an apparatus for processing
information associated with, or enabling initiation or conduction
of, game-playing transactions, the apparatus comprising one or more
software-customized processors configured for: receiving, from a
user device and at one or more game-playing apparatuses configured
for operations associated with game-playing transactions,
information associated with a game-playing transaction, wherein the
game-playing transaction is associated with a game, wherein the
game is associated with or comprises game information, wherein the
user device communicates with the one or more game-playing
apparatuses; determining the information is at least partially
consistent with or mappable to second information, the second
information being received or accessed from a second user device
different from the user device, the second user device being
located in an approved location associated with the game;
processing the information, or enabling initiation or conduction of
the game-playing transaction, based on at least one of: receiving
or accessing the second information and determining the information
is at least partially consistent with or mappable to the second
information, the second information being received or accessed from
the second user device located in the approved location associated
with the game, or determining a period of validity associated with
the game-playing transaction or the game information has not
expired, wherein the information associated with the game-playing
transaction is received on a first communication interface, and
wherein the second information is received or accessed on a second
communication interface.
[0445] In some embodiments involving the apparatus, the second user
device comprises a retail apparatus configured for at least one of
receiving, processing, or transmitting the second information.
[0446] In some embodiments involving the apparatus, the one or more
game-playing apparatuses comprises a remote server configured for
the operations associated with the game-playing transaction.
[0447] In some embodiments involving the apparatus, the user device
comprises a mobile telecommunication device configured for second
operations associated with the game-playing transactions.
[0448] In some embodiments involving the apparatus, the one or more
software-customized processors are specifically configured for
processing, or enabling initiation or conduction of, the
game-playing transaction.
[0449] In some embodiments involving the apparatus, the game
comprises a lottery game.
[0450] In some embodiments involving the apparatus, the game
comprises a non-lottery game.
[0451] While various embodiments in accordance with the disclosed
principles have been described above, it should be understood that
they have been presented by way of example only, and are not
limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the invention(s) should
not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments,
but should be defined only in accordance with the claims and their
equivalents issuing from this disclosure. Furthermore, the above
advantages and features are provided in described embodiments, but
shall not limit the application of such issued claims to processes
and structures accomplishing any or all of the above
advantages.
[0452] Additionally, the section headings herein are provided for
consistency with the suggestions under 37 C.F.R. 1.77 or otherwise
to provide organizational cues. These headings shall not limit or
characterize the invention(s) set out in any claims that may issue
from this disclosure. Specifically and by way of example, although
the headings refer to a "Technical Field," such claims should not
be limited by the language chosen under this heading to describe
the so-called technical field. Further, a description of a
technology in the "Background" is not to be construed as an
admission that technology is prior art to any invention(s) in this
disclosure. Neither is the "Summary" to be considered as a
characterization of the invention(s) set forth in issued claims.
Furthermore, any reference in this disclosure to "invention" in the
singular should not be used to argue that there is only a single
point of novelty in this disclosure. Multiple inventions may be set
forth according to the limitations of the multiple claims issuing
from this disclosure, and such claims accordingly define the
invention(s), and their equivalents, that are protected thereby. In
all instances, the scope of such claims shall be considered on
their own merits in light of this disclosure, but should not be
constrained by the headings herein.
* * * * *